“The proposal made by Donald Tusk regarding compensation for World War II, presented to the German Chancellor, is a disgrace and a slap in the face; it degrades Poland,” said Dr. Eng. Col. Leonard Kapiszewski, president of the Federation of Associations of Veterans and Successors of the Struggle for the Independence of the Republic of Poland (FSWiSWiN RP), in an interview with the portal Niezalezna.pl.
During yesterday’s press conference with Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Donald Tusk stated that around 50,000 people who suffered during the war are still alive today. He added that when he discussed compensation in recent years with the previous chancellor Olaf Scholz, the number was about 60,000. “Hurry up if you really want to make such a gesture,” he addressed the German side. He indicated that if there is no swift and unequivocal declaration from Germany, then next year he would consider a decision for Poland to respond to this need with its own resources.
A disgrace and a slap in the face
Niezalezna.pl asked Dr. Eng. Col. Leonard Kapiszewski – president of the Federation of Associations of Veterans and Successors of the Struggle for the Independence of the Republic of Poland (FSWiSWiN RP) – to assess this statement.
“Prime Minister Donald Tusk wants to ingratiate himself with Germany in every possible way; he only wants to arrange things favorably with them. He pays no attention to how Poland appears with such a declaration. These kinds of words testify to the flawed conduct of our country in this matter. It is a disgrace that reinforces a flawed perception of Poland. How can one speak in such a way, suggesting that Poles will take responsibility for damages caused by Germany,” he said.
The president of the Federation of Associations of Veterans and Successors of the Struggle for the Independence of the Republic of Poland (FSWiSWiN RP) also criticized the idea that only living victims of World War II would receive the money.
“One must take into account that very few are still alive. Entering into such proposals is somewhat performative, lacking any real commitment to pay out anything. There must be a serious step from Germany and the German state. You cannot spoon-feed history – offering something with a spoon while expecting the rest to be forgiven. Forgiveness is one thing, but when it comes to damages, there must be an ability to compensate Poland,” he assessed.
He expressed the view that the current government does not truly intend to achieve real compensation from Germany.
“In no case will it lead to that. These are only patchwork gestures, such as Donald Tusk’s statement. He is very clearly collaborating with Germany, doing everything to degrade and weaken Poland, making it an object easy for Germany to swallow,” he said.
He added that he regarded Tusk’s words as “a slap in the face.” “Tusk’s proposal is entirely compromising for Poland. We should not engage in such things,” he assessed.
