Poland: Increased security in Warsaw July 5-6 due to Trump visit

Event

President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Poland, July 5 to attend the Three Seas Initiative Summit, a meeting of Central European leaders on Thursday, July 6 as well as later deliver a public speech at Krasinski Square, epicenter and symbol of the 1944 Warsaw uprising. A significant turnout is expected as citizens have been actively encouraged to attend and support the speech, also broadcasted live on Polish television.  Local authorities and police have tightened security as well as shut down roads to build platforms in the city’s downtown square. Traffic diversions and congestions are expected from late Wednesday, July 5, to Thursday, July 6 in the afternoon.

Context

Donald Trump has chosen to visit Poland first over other longstanding European allies upon his visit to Europe expecting to receive a much warmer welcome from the like-minded populist right-wing government. This no doubt follows Trump’s contentious visit to Europe in May whereby political and ideological differences between the American and Western European leaders became apparent.

Advice

Although local authorities assert protests are unlikely, travelers are advised to provide extra travelling time to reach their destination as the city will suffer congestion and will be placed under tightened security.