(5 Jul 2017) Poland prepared for a visit by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Trump is headed back to Europe hoping to receive a friendly welcome in Poland despite lingering skepticism across the continent over his commitment to NATO, his past praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his decision to pull the U.S. out of a major climate agreement.
A heavy police and security presence was visible in Krasinski Square, near the site of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis, and where the US President is slated to deliver a speech.
Trump will arrive later on Wednesday for a brief visit that will also include a meeting with the leaders of Poland and Croatia and a joint news conference with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Before moving on to an international summit in Germany, the president will also hold meetings with the leaders of a dozen countries located between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black seas at a summit of the Three Seas Initiative, which aims to expand and modernize energy and trade. One of the initiative's goals is to make the region less dependent on Russian energy.
Trump's first trip to Europe as president in May saw a series of awkward encounters, including a tough speech to the leaders of NATO countries urging them to spend more on their armed forces, an uncomfortable handshake with France's new president, and a caught-on-camera moment when Trump pushed past the prime minister of Montenegro, Europe's newest country, while squeezing his way to the front of a crowd.
But Poland may offer Trump a chance to shine.
According to Polish media reports, Poland's government promised the White House a reception of cheering crowds as part of its invitation.
To make good on that pledge, ruling party lawmakers and pro-government activists plan to bus in groups from the provinces to hear Trump's speech.
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