Today, during a joint conference, Olaf Scholz announced that Germany “will strive to provide support for survivors of the occupation,” though the financial specifics previously reported by the media were lacking. Additionally, a memorial for Polish victims of World War II is to be established in Berlin. Does this close the topic of reparations? “It doesn’t close anything, but it’s something in such difficult and delicate matters,” argued Donald Tusk.
The issue of reparations and compensation to Poland for war losses inflicted by Germany remains a significant and unresolved matter between the two countries. With the change of government, the topic of reparations has taken a backseat. A few months ago, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in conversation with his German counterpart, called on Germany for a “creative solution” to this issue.
Today, the fruits of the federal government’s creative efforts were presented in Warsaw. Even before the intergovernmental consultations began this morning, German media reported on “financial compensation” for surviving victims of Germany during World War II and on the memorial site.
During today’s conference with Donald Tusk, Olaf Scholz reminded that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and the 85th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. “We Germans caused immense suffering to Poland during WWII, and we are aware of our guilt and responsibility for the millions of victims of the German occupation,” he assured.
“Therefore, Germany will strive to provide support for survivors of the occupation,” he emphasized. The German Chancellor informed that “the federal cabinet has decided to establish a memorial in Berlin for Polish victims of WWII and the Nazi occupation.” As he announced, the “German-Polish House” will be a “visible sign against forgetting and a warning for the future.”
However, the declarations lacked specifics. This was also questioned by one of the German journalists.
Tusk: There Are No Gestures That Would Satisfy Poles
The Polish Prime Minister responded that he was in no way disappointed with “the proposal and good gesture from the German Chancellor and the German government, because there are no gestures that would satisfy Poles and no sum of money that would balance what happened during World War II.”
He added that there is no dispute between him and the German Chancellor on this issue.
Is the Topic of Reparations Closed?
He emphasized that discussions about reparations, commemoration, and military cooperation should build good relations and should never again be the subject of a diplomatic war, “let alone a real conflict.”
“If there is a clear difference between the past, the recent past, and what we are doing today, we will seek solutions that will satisfy Poland, but not in the spirit of political confrontation, but mutual understanding,” the Prime Minister assured.
Responding to another question on this issue, Tusk stated that “the German government’s intention” “closes nothing, but it’s something in such difficult and delicate matters.”
“We are looking for appropriate methods and words with the Chancellor. We both realize how sensitive these issues are. (…) The most important thing is to open certain windows and talk honestly, providing information on who has what limitations, priorities, and what the situation is. We know how to discuss this,” he added.