EU split as Poland likens Germany to ‘Putin’s Russia’ in World War 2 row

Tensions between Germany and Poland have hit new levels as a row over Second World War reparations has seen Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government likened to “Putin’s Russia “. The row threatens to destabilise the EU adding to an increasing rivalry between Germany , currently the most powerful country in the bloc, and Poland which is emerging as a rival. A decision by Chancellor Scholz to forbid any diplomatic contact with Poland over Second World War compensation has infuriated the Polish government with support growing for their demands. Last month Greece added its backing for compensation for the havoc and mass killings inflicted on countries by Adolf Hitler and the German Nazi regime . Arkadiusz Mularczyk has warned Germany it is setting an example for Russia (Image: Getty) Polish Secretary of State for Europe Arkadiusz Mularczyk warned that Germany would be setting the blueprint for how Russia will act when Ukraine seeks compensation for the current invasion. He said: “Germany is blocking diplomacy about the core issue of human rights & the rule of law. Germany is setting Russia an example.” The minister went on: “Germany, as a leading EU country and one of the world’s strongest economies, has an unavoidable obligation to set an example of how a modern, democratic country should help to resolve conflict; but this latest act sets a perfect example to Russia on how to behave as regards Ukraine . “Instead of ignoring a difficult, unresolved past, Germany should sit down with Poland and finally address issues of asymmetry of treatment, compensation, and resolution. “Let me be clear. Poland is ready to talk. In trying to talk, Poland has exhausted almost all international possibilities to get Germany to the negotiating table; German policy is simply to willfully ignore the harm it has caused, still being felt by victims today.” Hitler ordered the invasion of Poland after striking a deal with Stalin (Image: Getty) Adolf Hitler ordered the invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, a week after striking a deal with Joseph Stalin’s USSR through the infamous Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. The move finally persuaded British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain to declare war on Germany but Poland remained occupied until 1945. The Nazis believed the Poles were lesser forms of humanity and they also put many of their notorious concentration and death camps in Poland where 6 million Jews were murdered including Auschwitz. Poland has repeatedly attempted to open dialogue with Germany on the issue of damages and loss of life caused by the brutal invasion and occupation of 1939 to 1945, but has so far been ignored and rebuffed. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated in Warsaw in October 2022 that the issue is ‘closed from the perspective of the German government.’ The latest example of German stonewalling is a concerted campaign of silence on the issue, with Polish ambassadors learning that their German counterparts are being told to refuse to discuss the issue entirely. Poland is seeking 1.3 trillion euros in damages from Germany for 5.2 million Polish citizens killed; 2.1 million Polish citizens taken abroad for slave labour; a loss of over 11.2 million to the Polish population; 196,000 Polish children seized and stolen with only 30,000 returned; over 48,000 square miles of territory lost; and irreparable cultural and historical damage including the near total destruction of the capital Warsaw.