“Poland should demand reparation from Russia”

Poland was a victim of both Hitler and Stalin in World War II, which is why it should demand reparation not only from Germany but also from Russia – writes Artur Weigandt in a commentary published on Sunday in the online edition of the German daily Die Welt.

“By repeating the demand for reparations from Germany, Polish President Karol Nawrocki appealed to a long tradition in Polish policy saying that Poland is a victim of German assault on September 1, 1939, which resulted in millions of killed, destroyed cities and havoc felt by decades. compensation is authorized, “says the German journalist.

But why are the Polish authorities limited to claims against Germany? – asks the author of the commentary.

“Poland was a victim not only of Hitler, but also Stalin. The Ribbentrop-Mołotow pact from 1939, in which two totalitarian systems divided Europe among themselves, meant the end of Poland's state existence,” explains Weigandt.

As he reminded, a few weeks after the German attack, the Red Army entered Poland and it was not liberation, but the second occupation including deportations to Siberia, the massacre in Katyn and the destruction of the Polish elites.

After 1945, Poland remained “semi -camp” in the Soviet influence zone. Communist People's Poland was only formally a state, and in reality it did not have the sovereignty allowing to make decisions about the future, foreign policy and reparations. Each important decision depended on Moscow. That is why not only Germany, but also the Soviet Union is responsible for destruction and deprivation of rights.

Until the collapse of the Soviet block in 1989, Poland “in key issues was not able to make decisions.” For this reason, the argument is convincing that the demand for compensation should also include Russia. “This is not only a legal raven, but a matter of historical justice,” the commentator emphasized.

“Poland was attacked by two sides and was oppressed by two dictatorships, instrumentalized by two powers. Who today calls only Berlin to be responsible, this is silent half of the truth,” we read in Die Welt.

According to the commentator, an expression of consistency and political clarity would be the open to terminate this truth by the Polish president.

“It is easy to criticize + friends + in the West. Germany is a member of the EU and NATO, a partner and therefore a grateful goal. With Berlin you can negotiate, you can put pressure, you can score in internal policy. But there is almost no one who has the courage to demand reparation from Moscow. It is too much fear that this may be considered a provocation, and the views are too small,” Weigandt.

“Die Welt” predicts that Russia “will of course ignore or ridicule Polish reparation claims.” But world public opinion would see that Poland demands historical justice “not selectively but comprehensively” – “not only from the Democratic State, but also from the authoritarian aggressor who avoids responsibility.”

The commentator stipulated that it is not about real payments, which – as long as Vladimir Putin rules in Moscow – they are a fantasy. “It is a clear message that Poland is claiming to both powers, which in the twentieth century broke it. This attitude would provide Poland with respect in the world and the recognition that it is about rules, not political calculations.”

According to the commentator, demanding reparations not only from Germany, but also from Russia would be an act of courage. “Poland's demands should be recognized by both Germany and Russia,” writes Weigandt on the portal of Die Welt.

Jacek Lepiarz (PAP)

Lep/ AP/ LM/