WASHINGTON — The United States will send 1,000 more troops to Poland as part of a growing security and economic partnership between the two countries, President Trump said Wednesday. He and Polish President Andrzej Duda differed over Russia’s intentions toward the U.S. ally.

At a time of ongoing worries about Russian military activity, Mr. Duda said he wanted Russia to be a friend of Poland, even as he recounted his country’s long history of conflict with Moscow.

“We would like Russia to be our friend, but unfortunately, Russia again is showing its very unkind, unpleasant imperial face,” Mr. Duda said, noting its attacks on Georgia in 2008 and Ukraine in 2014. He spoke through a translator during a news conference with Mr. Trump in the White House Rose Garden, where they discussed details of the military deal.

Mr. Trump, who has a history of appearing to defer to Russia, seemed to downplay Mr. Duda’s concerns.

“I hope that Poland is going to have a great relationship with Russia. I think it’s possible. I really do,” Mr. Trump said. “I think because of what you’ve done, and the strength, and maybe we help also, because of what we’re doing and doing for Poland.

“But I hope Poland is going to have a great relationship with Russia. I hope we’re going to have a great relationship with Russia, and by the way, China and many other countries,” he said.

Mr. Trump said he likely will make his second visit to Poland as President in September, the 80th anniversary of the invasion by Nazi Germany in 1939 that set off World War II. And he said he was thinking about allowing Poland to participate in a State Department program that allows its citizens to visit the United States for tourism or business without obtaining a visa, but that more progress was needed before a final decision.

The service members will be added to an existing force of about 4,500 U.S. troops that rotate in and out of Poland.

Mr. Trump said he probably would shift some U.S. service members from Germany, where tens of thousands have been based for a “long, long time,” or from elsewhere in Europe.

In the Oval Office Mr. Trump said he had no concerns about backsliding of democracy in Poland. Mr. Duda denied there were problems.

“This is a very complex issue,” he said. “Let me assure you, freedom of speech is absolutely respected in Poland. Poland absolutely respects all constitutional standards.”

Mr. Trump’s decision to increase the U.S. military presence in Poland was welcomed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

First Published June 13, 2019, 3:06 a.m.