Germany: Rejected Poland’s request for war reparations

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These are reparations related to the great disasters suffered by Poland during the Second World War

The German government officially rejected Warsaw’s request to negotiate reparations for the great destruction suffered by Poland during World War II, the Polish Foreign Ministry announced.

“According to the German government, the issue of reparations and compensation for war damages is closed and the German government does not intend to start negotiations on this issue,” the ministry said in a statement after receiving the official response from Berlin.

Poland estimates its World War II losses from Germany at 6.2 trillion zlotys (about 1.325 trillion euros) and is demanding reparations, but Berlin has repeatedly said all financial claims have been settled.

“The government of the Republic of Poland will continue its efforts to settle the debts arising from the German aggression and occupation in the period 1939-45,” the ministry added.

About 6 million Poles, of whom 3 million were Jews, were killed during the war, and Warsaw was leveled after the 1944 uprising, in which about 200,000 civilians were killed. In 1953 the then communist leadership of Poland waived all claims for war reparations, under pressure from the Soviet Union which wanted to relieve East Germany (then a satellite of the USSR) of monetary obligations.

Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party claims that deal is invalid because Warsaw was unable to negotiate fair compensation. He has reignited his calls for reparations from Germany since taking office in 2015.

The party’s stance on Germany, often used by PiS to mobilize its supporters, has led to strained relations with Berlin.

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