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Polish speaker raises WWII reparations plan in Berlin talks

13.01.2026 13:20
Polish parliamentary speaker Włodzimierz Czarzasty presented his proposal to address World War II reparations during meetings in Berlin on Monday, as part of his first official foreign visit since taking office.
The visit comes amid ongoing tension over the issue. In December, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that if Berlin fails to provide a clear response on compensating survivors, Warsaw may seek to cover it from its own funds.
The visit comes amid ongoing tension over the issue. In December, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that if Berlin fails to provide a clear response on compensating survivors, Warsaw may seek to cover it from its own funds.Photo: PAP/Albert Zawada

Czarzasty met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and is scheduled to hold further talks with Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during his three-day visit focused on security cooperation and historical compensation.

He outlined a three-pronged plan: compensation for surviving victims, accelerated construction of a memorial to Polish victims in Berlin, and German investment in shared infrastructure and security as a form of symbolic reparations.

“This isn’t something you settle with a baseball bat. You need to find solutions that satisfy both sides,” Czarzasty told reporters.

While emphasizing a forward-looking partnership with Germany, he said reparations must be addressed with realism.

“Let’s fulfill this element through joint initiatives,” he said.

The visit comes amid ongoing tension over the issue. In December, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that if Berlin fails to provide a clear response on compensating survivors, Warsaw may seek to cover it from its own funds.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated that Germany considers the reparations issue legally resolved but said dialogue on remembrance and humanitarian support remains open.

(jh)

Source: IAR, PAP