Updated

Polish and British defense officials say there are plans for a stronger British military presence in Poland to reassure members on NATO's eastern flank concerned about Russia's resurgence. But Warsaw and London are giving mixed messages on the exact nature of Britain's involvement.

Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said in a broadcast late Thursday that there will be a "permanent presence" of some 1,000 British troops in Poland starting next year.

But Britain's Ministry of Defense said Friday that Britain will send 1,000 troops to exercises in Poland this year and 1,000 to join a Polish-led NATO high-readiness task force in 2020. The task force will be led by a different NATO country every year, so the British commitment to Poland would just be for 2020.