Poland’s president reignited the longstanding debate over World War II reparations on Monday, declaring that Berlin must pay compensation for wartime atrocities if Polish-German relations are to be rebuilt on “truth and justice.”
Speaking at commemorations marking the 86th anniversary of the war’s outbreak, Karol Nawrocki insisted that reparations remain a central issue for Warsaw. “In order to build a partnership built on truth and good relations, we must deal with the issue of reparations from the German state which, as Polish president, I unequivocally demand, for the common good,” he said, according to state broadcaster TVP.
Nawrocki emphasized that reparations were not an act of vengeance but of historical accountability. He argued that Poland, as NATO’s most exposed frontline state, requires not only strong security guarantees but also recognition of justice from its western neighbor. His remarks were delivered at the Westerplatte peninsula, where German shelling in 1939 triggered the bloodiest war in European history. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, senior officials, and ministers.
Tusk, however, steered his message away from historical claims and toward present-day challenges. He described Westerplatte as a “sacred place” symbolizing Poland’s resilience, while urging clarity about modern threats. “We must understand well where this great threat comes from today and with whom we should unite,” he stressed, pointing to NATO and European partners as indispensable allies against Russia.
