Poland's President Karol Nawrocki paid his first visit to Germany on Tuesday, as worries about Russian actions increase and Poland reiterates its calls for compensation for Nazi atrocities during World War II.
Nawrocki was honored with military ceremonies at Bellevue Palace, the official home of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, prior to a private meeting with Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The subject of compensation is expected to be a key discussion point. Earlier this month, Nawrocki renewed his demand for war reparations from Germany, and mentioned that the future of the relationship between the two neighboring countries may depend on addressing this matter.
Poland requires Germany — more than ever in recent history. Just last week, Russian drones entered Polish airspace. However, will the demand for reparations affect German-Polish relations?
"What we definitely do not need at this moment is a deterioration in German-Polish relations due to a discussion on reparations, particularly as Germany views the issue as resolved," said Knut Abraham (CDU), the German government's representative for Polish affairs, in an interview with Euronews.
"The job cannot be compensated with money," said Abraham, noting that he did not anticipate any substantial discussions on the matter during Nawrocki's official visit.
We should examine ways to collaborate in order to address the shadows of our common past.
Poland is split regarding its history during World War II
From the German government's viewpoint, there is no legal requirement under international law to offer compensation to Poland.
In 1953, the communist leaders of Poland relinquished their rights to future war compensation due to pressure from the Soviet Union.
Poland is still split: some individuals wish to progress and forget the past, whereas others—highlighting the significant damage and losses experienced during World War II—keep asking for compensation from Germany, often using clearly anti-German language.
"Global peace is constantly at risk whenever individual countries or ethnic communities are made to bear the blame," stated Peter Oliver Loew, a professor at the Technical University of Darmstadt and also the director of the German-Polish Institute.
The matter of reparations, he emphasized, is fundamentally a political issue. "It serves as a means to consistently place Germany in a defensive position and seek advantages."
Loew added, this skeptical or anti-German perspective has historical origins in the brutalities and crimes Germany inflicted on Poland during the war — incidents that remain largely unfamiliar to many in the German public.
But we need to go beyond history and constantly look for practical ways to work together.
In 2022, the Law and Justice party, also known as PiS, which was in power at the time, calculated its losses from World War II inflicted by Germany to amount to 6.2 trillion zlotys (approximately €1.3 trillion during that period).
Demand for German-Polish collaboration in matters of security
Abraham from CDU has suggested a "contemporary version of the idea of reparations".
But how would this appear in reality? He imagines a security policy collaboration involving "personnel, military, and financial" obligations.
A specific instance is a collaborative German-Polish effort aimed at safeguarding vital infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region.
"We have witnessed the fragility of the infrastructure there — power cables, communication lines, gas pipelines. This is an initiative where we can accomplish something collectively," stated Abraham.
Germany may also assist Poland in safeguarding its airspace. Last Wednesday, 19 Russian drones breached Polish airspace. Abraham referred to the violation as "entirely unacceptable."
Loew thinks there is potential for better collaboration between Germany and Poland in terms of security.
He stated that the security and military cultures of Germany and Poland should be more closely linked. Poland mainly relies on the United States for security, whereas Germany focuses more on NATO and European allies.
Nevertheless, enhanced collaboration is crucial, Loew highlighted.
Through collaborative acquisition of military equipment, through Poland's involvement in a shared missile or drone defense system, through joint investments," he added. "Nothing enhances relationships more than working together — even in the realm of defense.
Although the relationship between Poland and Germany has been tense in recent years, Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and its ongoing actions in the region are bringing the neighboring countries closer in certain ways, as stated by Abraham and Loew.
We belong to a group with a common future," Abraham stated. "External dangers strengthen our internal bonds.
Loew agreed, stating, "This will help unite both nations. After all, Poland shares a border with Russia — specifically in the Kaliningrad region. This area is heavily armed with medium-range missiles, aircraft, tanks, and military personnel."
Loew stated that Germany needs to collaborate with Poland to safeguard Europe's security and get ready for potential further Russian attacks.
He further mentioned that Germany should be open to hearing Poland's perspective, which has been "closely monitoring Russia for many years."
Calls for compensation unlikely to diminish
Apart from issues related to security, Abraham mentioned that he observed opportunities for enhanced economic collaboration between Germany and Poland.
Germany's fourth-largest trading partner is Poland.
Germany exports more to Poland than to China," Abraham mentioned. "It is a mutually beneficial situation, and we should capitalize on it — while not forgetting the past.
Although there have been appeals for increased collaboration in security and trade, it seems unlikely that Poland will abandon its requests for compensation from Germany. What could Berlin's reaction be?
Loew provided a realistic view: "It's improbable that Poland will abandon its demands for reparations. Such an action would cause strong reactions, particularly among the right-wing faction in Polish politics," he mentioned. "We require a series of mutual actions — both concerning security and in a symbolic manner."
He also mentioned that we must recognize the pain Poland went through during World War II due to Germany's actions.
Loew suggested constructing a lasting Polish monument in Berlin, along with a cultural center aimed at uniting Poles and Germans and informing individuals about their common history.
It is also feasible to provide compensation to the last remaining Polish survivors of World War II, stated Loew. "In the end, it's positive that we are addressing the unresolved parts of our common history."
What could be the subsequent action?
"A policy based on mutual respect, and a sincere recognition of the Polish government and the Polish president," Loew concluded. Regular discussions and cooperation between the two nations are also essential to ultimately escaping the "reparations dilemma," he mentioned.