Knut Abraham, the German government’s plenipotentiary for cooperation with Poland, said what nearly the entire German political class emphasizes – he refused Poland’s pursuit of reparations but offered security guarantees in return.
Security instead of reparations?
Knut Abraham stated – as reported on DW’s website – that there is a need for a “modern rethinking of Germany’s obligations” to Poland. He also noted that Germany and Poland “mutually protect each other,” and that the German government must “demonstrate this militarily and financially.”
These remarks came on the eve of President Karol Nawrocki’s visit to Berlin, where he will meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. President Nawrocki, in a speech delivered on September 1 during the ceremony at Westerplatte, said that Poland demands reparations from Germany for World War II. Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds a completely different view, having closed the matter of reparations by saying he would not ask Berlin.
It can therefore be expected that tomorrow, during the meeting with Steinmeier, Nawrocki will specifically insist on what legally belongs to Poland.