Pompeo on Belarus, Iran, US troops moving to Poland

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sealed a defense cooperation deal Saturday with Polish officials that will pave the way to redeploy American troops from Germany to Poland.

Pompeo, in Warsaw at the end of a four-nation tour of central and eastern Europe, signed the deal with Polish defense minister Mariusz Błaszczak that sets out the legal framework for the additional troops.

The pact supplements an existing NATO Status of Forces Agreement and allows for the enhancement and modernization of existing capabilities and facilities by allowing U.S. forces to access additional Polish military installations.

It also sets out a formula for sharing the logistical and infrastructure costs of an expanded U.S. presence in the country.

Speaking alongside Pompeo at a joint news conference, Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz welcomed the agreement.

The presence of American troops "enhances our deterrence potential because we are closer to the potential source of conflict," Czaputowicz said.

Pompeo also discussed the results of the Aug. 9 presidential election in Belarus and the protests there.

“Our common objective is to support the Belarusian people," he said. "These people are demanding the same things that every human being wants. We urged the leadership to broaden the circle to engage with civil society.”

Pompeo also criticised Britain and France for failing to support a US bid at the United Nations to extend sanctions on Iran.