The Polish visit was largely portrayed as an occasion for Trump to get a friendly reception from a Polish government that is sympathetic to Trump’s populist, nationalist politics. Sixteen years ago, George W. Bush included Poland on his first European trip, full of praise for Polish heroism during the Cold War — and for centuries previous. In choosing to honour the Warsaw Uprising, Trump deliberately sought a contrast with Barack Obama. Yet Poland and Croatia fashioned the new gathering last year out of frustration that the European Union was increasingly dominated by priorities they do not share. Most of the Three Seas countries were under Soviet occupation 30 years ago, and are thus nervous about the expansionist policies of Vladimir Putin.

Source: National Post July 07, 2017 14:26 UTC