German ambassador Thomas Bagger tried to hit Poland by criticizing Polish politics on social media. He also wrote about paying for Russian energy. The German diplomat was invited to the presidential palace by the head of the Office of International Policy, who pointed out to Bagger that the role of an ambassador is not that of a publicist. Now the German politician is trying to save his image. He gave an interview to Newsweek, owned by Ringier Axel Springer, in which he argued how much Germany was about to change.
Responsibility for the war
Bagger was asked about the words of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak, who said that “German policy made Putin get money for his army”. The diplomat wrote on social media: “Does the minister know how many billions of zloty Poles transfer to Moscow every year in exchange for Russian energy?” In an interview with Newsweek, he replied that the blame for the war rests solely with Moscow. He also admitted that “Nord Stream was a mistake”, but it is “not true that only Germany bought energy from Russia”.
Bagger also stated that “what Germany should be to Poland depends primarily on Poland” and “there is a clear commitment from Germany that we want to be a good neighbor to Poland.”
I believe that the Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a strategic rapprochement between the Polish and German way of thinking about the world, but in a very different way than many Germans expected. Because in areas such as the approach of Russia and Ukraine, energy policy or defense, we Germans are getting closer to the Polish position, not the other way around. If you asked me about the future of mutual relations, I would say that despite the challenges related to the upcoming elections in Poland or the war in Ukraine, I remain optimistic. I think we are moving towards closer cooperation. Of course, it always takes two to tango
argued the German diplomat.
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Relations between Poland and Germany
Bagger also spoke about relations between Poland and Germany. According to him, the question of attitude towards Germany “is part of the old debate conducted by Poles and in a sense a debate about themselves: about what kind of Poles are we and what kind of Poles do we want to be? How European do we want to be? How unique are we?” Actions that can be taken by Germany – said Bagger – are “good proposals for cooperation or help in dealing with the consequences of the war”.
Bagger also stated that Germany is “the largest supplier of aid to Ukraine in the European Union, including military aid in the form of the latest weapon systems”.
Germany’s representative also said that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s words that “Germany has always been very conciliatory towards Moscow, bent on Russia” are “exaggerated”, and that Germany has changed in many important points.
I understand some skepticism, but it is not fair to say that Germany had friendly relations with Russia. This ended after the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of war in Donbass
said the politician.
“Poland for five minutes
The ambassador also drew attention to Poland’s growing importance in the international arena. He therefore wondered how this could be translated into influence in Brussels. According to Bagger, “the idea that Poland could spend its five minutes on a policy against Germany is breakneck.”
So it would waste its strategic potential. In the current crisis, I see a great opportunity for Polish-German relations. We are increasingly attracted to each other by common interests
said the diplomat.
He also stated that “history should lead us to build a better present and future” and that “demanding reparations is not the way to pursue reconciliation”.
As we have said many times, this case is legally closed, although it will never be morally closed. I have a question for the Polish government: Is issuing new bills for old wounds the best way to achieve better neighborly relations between Poles and Germans?
asked Bagger, stating that the government in Berlin was not afraid of negotiations because there was nothing to negotiate.
When asked about conversations with Jarosław Kaczyński, he replied that “Polish-German relations would not benefit from comments” on the PiS president’s statements.
After scandalous posts on social media, the German ambassador continues his speech in “Newsweek”…
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wkt/”Newsweek”
Source: wPolityce