Tusk’s insistence on reparations from Germany mars overshadows summit
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clashed on Monday over war reparations and restitution for the destruction inflicted by Nazi Germany, overshadowing talks in Berlin that were intended to highlight unity on defence cooperation and support for Ukraine. Instead, the meeting was dominated by the deeply emotive question of how Germany should address its wartime actions.
Merz stressed the importance of preserving even the most painful memories in a way that strengthens bilateral ties, yet Tusk, facing pressure from the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) opposition, adopted a firmer position. He argued that Poland has never been adequately compensated for the immense losses and crimes committed during the Second World War.
Although Tusk had previously downplayed the reparations issue after returning to office in 2023, when the former PiS government had demanded €1.3 trillion, he reopened the debate, challenging Germany’s claim that Poland waived its rights in the 1950s. PiS figures, including President Karol Nawrocki, contend that this waiver was imposed under Soviet influence, a view Tusk echoed during the meeting.
