US to build new missile defense base in Poland Open, which is the first permanent US military installation in the country. Polish President Andrzej Duda said the move would show “the whole world that there is no longer a Russian sphere of influence here.”

Before the opening ceremony, the Kremlin said that they consider "the advancement of American military infrastructure in Europe, towards our borders, as part of an attempt to contain Russia militarily."

The new base is part of a large-scale anti-missile shield aimed at protecting the US and Europe from ballistic missiles.

The first plans to build the base emerged in the 2000s, under President George W. Bush, and were later approved by President Barack Obama. Construction of the base began in 2016.

NATO's Aegis missile defense system will be designed to defend against medium-range and intermediate-range missiles.

In addition to Andrzej Duda, the ceremony was attended by the Polish Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs – Władysław Kosciniak-Kamiś and Radosław Sikorski – as well as the Commander of US Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Stuart Munch, and the US Ambassador to Poland, Mark Brzezinski.