Germany Denies Poland's Request for WWII Reparations Talks

On Tuesday, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced that Germany has rejected Poland's request to enter into talks on compensating the country for damages sustained during World War II.

The ministry stated that the German government believes the matter is "closed" and has no plans to open negotiations on the issue.

Poland is now turning to the United Nations for support in its effort to receive €1.2 billion in compensation for damages inflicted during Nazi Germany's 1939-1945 occupation of the country.

During World War II, Poland suffered heavily, with 220 out of every 1,000 inhabitants killed in the violence and 40% of its cultural property destroyed.

Additionally, almost 50% of Poland's territory was given to the Soviet Union after the war ended.

Germany argues that compensation was paid to Eastern Bloc countries in the years following the war, and that territories lost by Poland in the east were compensated with some of Germany's prewar lands.

Berlin has maintained that the issue of reparations was resolved due to a decision made during the Communist era, which saw Poland drop its demand for reparations. However, Poland claims that it only ceased seeking compensation at that time due to pressure from Moscow.

Since coming to power in Poland in 2015, the ruling Law and Justice party has frequently advocated for war reparations from Germany, asserting that the country has a "moral duty" in the matter.

On Tuesday, Polish diplomats took the case to the United Nations, requesting the organization's "cooperation and support so that Poland can receive compensation for the damage caused by aggression and occupation by the Germans."

There has been no comment from the UN on the matter at this time.

In October, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Warsaw and stated that, "from the point of view of the federal government, the question of reparations was closed" and that Germany had assumed "its historical responsibility."

In the past, Germany has made similar arguments against reparations claims raised by Greece and Italy.