German-Polish Government Consultations Address WWII Reparations and Security Cooperation

Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk led the 17th German-Polish government consultations on December 1, 2025, focusing on deepening bilateral cooperation amid ongoing challenges from historical issues and current geopolitical tensions. The talks covered critical areas including security and defense policy, economic cooperation, and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

One of the most sensitive topics was Poland’s longstanding reparations claims for damages incurred during World War II. Polish President Karol Nawrocki recently brought these claims to the forefront during a visit to Berlin, but German leaders Merz and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reaffirmed their rejection of reparations demands. While Prime Minister Tusk’s government has taken a less confrontational stance, it continues to expect gestures of support towards surviving war victims — a promise made by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the previous July 2024 consultations that remains unfulfilled.

The two nations remain allied by the threat posed by Russia, with Merz joining Tusk as well as French and UK leaders in solidarity efforts for Ukraine. Nonetheless, Poland expressed disappointment over its exclusion from current Ukraine peace negotiations led by Germany, France, and the UK without Polish participation.

Border control measures to curb illegal migration remain another contentious but stabilized issue, with Poland extending these controls until April 2026. Despite these challenges, the consultations reflected a commitment to maintaining dialogue and cooperative relations.

These talks underscore the complexities in German-Polish relations, balancing historical grievances with contemporary security challenges and European unity. Both governments seem intent on managing their differences while advancing shared interests in defense, economic ties, and regional stability.