The newly elected Polish President, Karol Nawrocki, held discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery in Berlin on Tuesday. According to the German government, the meeting focused on bilateral cooperation, international security matters and continued support for Ukraine.
Sources indicate that recent drone incidents within Poland were also likely addressed during the bilateral talks. A significant and potentially contentious, topic was President Nawrocki’s repeated calls for substantial reparations from Germany related to the Second World War. No joint press conference was scheduled following the meeting.
Earlier in the day, President Nawrocki was received by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Prior to his visit to Berlin, Nawrocki reiterated his demands for reparations in an interview with Bild and other Axel Springer media outlets. He asserted the issue remains a priority for Poland and will be a subject of engagement with German counterparts.
Nawrocki disputed the German government’s stance that the matter had been legally settled, stating that the issue of reparations “is naturally not legally settled”. Even if legally concluded, he argued, political will and open communication could re-open the discussion, benefiting both Warsaw and Berlin. He expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with Chancellor Merz and President Steinmeier.
The Polish President maintains a claim for reparations totaling €1.3 trillion, justifying the sum as based on extensive scientific research and the work of economists, historians and subject matter specialists who compiled a reparations report.
Karol Nawrocki assumed the office of Polish President in early August. He secured victory as an independent candidate backed by the PiS party and previously met with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House during his campaign.