Poland is still seeking compensation for the victims of the German invasion in World War II, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said in Berlin on Friday.
After attending the opening of the new Polish embassy in the German capital, Sikorski said that Germany could express its “regret for the terrible events” in the Nazi occupation by sending focus on three elements.
These include “moving towards surviving victims, creating a memorial monument in Berlin, and “investing in collective security,” he said.
Relations between Berlin and Warsaw were largely about the issue of war reparations under the Polish government of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, which was in power between 2015 and 2023.
While relations have improved since Prime Minister Donald Tusk returned to office, his central administration has continued to demand compensation from Germany.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – who is expected to step down after elections on February 23 – said in July 2024 that Germany was “aware of the seriousness of its guilt” and pledged unspecified aid to given to the Polish victims of occupation, then estimated at around 40,000.
Sikorski's comments on Friday suggest the issue remains unresolved, as does the question of a “visible sign of German repentance” in the form of a planned memorial in Berlin.
The two governments agreed last summer to cooperate on the construction of a German-Polish House as a memorial and reconciliation monument.
Sikorski mentioned the site of the old Kroll Opera House, a building that was the seat of the German parliament from the Nazi era before it was destroyed during the war.
The location, in Berlin's Tiergarten, was previously identified as suitable by a commission of experts, but it is unclear whether the project has gone ahead in recent months amid Germany's political crisis .
The third element Sikorski highlighted was cooperation on defense, with the threat posed by Russia.
“German ships and Polish ships, and German elements of infrastructure, are at risk in the Baltic. So we could do something in the Baltic together,” said the 61-year-old man.
Sikorski also warned of the threat of “nuclear-tipped Russian missiles stationed in the Kaliningrad exclave”.
“We could do something about missile defense,” Sikorski said. “I think it would be useful and welcome in both countries. “
