But Tusk, under pressure from the opposition nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, took a harder line on the matter than he has in the past, criticizing Germany’s logic for refusing to pay war reparations to Poland.
“We in Poland all believe that Poland has not received compensation for the losses and crimes of World War II,” Tusk said.
After his reelection in 2023, Tusk had not highlighted the reparations demands of the previous PiS government, which called on Germany to pay €1.3 trillion for its 1939-1945 occupation of Poland. Berlin has repeatedly said the matter is legally “closed.”
But on Monday, Tusk reopened the issue, criticizing the German argument that Poland waived its right to reparations in the 1950s when it was under the control of the Soviet Union.
PiS politicians, including Poland’s current president, Karol Nawrocki, argue the waiver was made under Soviet pressure and can’t be taken at face value. On Monday, Tusk echoed that line.
“Germany is adhering to this formal diplomatic agreement from the 1950s,” Tusk said. “Those who know history know that in the 1950s, Poland had no say in the matter. And Poland’s waiver of reparations is not seen as an act that reflects the opinion of the Polish people. The Polish people had no say.”