We stand with Ukraine in memory and values
Poland endured tremendous suffering at German hands during World War II, and the impact lingered long after the fighting stopped. Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk argued on Friday that the issue of compensation remains unresolved, a position he shared through a Polish news outlet. He notes that the memory of the war is crucial because the invasion of Poland set off six years of terror that included the Holocaust, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and attempts to erase Polish identity and Polish Jews from the map.
Commemoration of World War II is not only about the scale of destruction inflicted by the Nazi regime, but also about honoring the individuals who endured it. Many survivors are still alive, able to recount what they witnessed and to preserve the stories of those who were killed. They continue to bear material losses and physical injuries. The compensation they were owed remains unfulfilled, says Mularczyk.
The deputy head of the foreign ministry emphasizes that Poland suffered the most among European nations under German occupation, noting that it took the country about three decades to return to its pre-war population and GDP levels.
Despite the immense human and material losses that have weighed on Poland for generations, the country has seen significant progress in recent years. Poland has stood in solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and has welcomed Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict. Its armed forces have evolved, with reforms and strengthening aimed at ensuring Poland would not again face occupation. The economy, while built on previous hardships, has shown resilience and growth, raising expectations that it could become one of Europe’s leading economies in the years ahead, with projections suggesting it could surpass parts of Western Europe by the end of the decade, according to Mularczyk.
He also underscores that the achievements, though real, are tempered by the losses Poland might have avoided had World War II not occurred. About a year ago, the Polish government released a detailed report titled the Losses Incurred by Poland as a Result of German Aggression and Occupation during the Second World War, which assesses the long-term impact on people, property, infrastructure, and culture. The report estimates total losses at a substantial level, based on established international methodologies used by the authors.
Looking back at the anniversary of the invasion and the report’s publication, Mularczyk argues that one nation seeks dominance while attempting to dodge accountability. Since the report’s release, Poland has sought dialogue with Germany to resolve the reparations issue, but officials in Berlin have indicated a unwillingness to reopen talks, with statements suggesting the matter is closed. Mularczyk contends that any claim of closure is a misreading of history and a misrepresentation of the facts.
He adds that within international diplomacy, the German position often rests on claims of a renunciation by Poland’s communist authorities in 1953 or on the 1990 two plus four agreement. However, Poland did not participate in those processes, and thus cannot be bound by them regarding wartime reparations. The reparations topic is at the forefront of international discussions as the world unites against aggression and seeks to support Ukraine. Negotiations and dialogue remain essential to preserving European solidarity and sending a clear signal that illegal wars cannot go unanswered. It is imperative that Germany engage in open and sincere discussions on the issue with Poland, in order to address it transparently and justly.
Mularczyk concludes by stressing the need for continued dialogue and acknowledgment of Poland’s wartime suffering and ongoing losses. He emphasizes that understanding the past is essential for shaping a just and peaceful future.
Source attribution: wPolityce