🇵🇱🇩🇪 1.3 Trillion Shock: Tusk–Merz Summit Erupts Over WWII Reparations ❗

A high-stakes meeting in Berlin between Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took an unexpected turn when the topic of World War II reparations exploded onto the table.

What was supposed to be a unity-driven summit quickly became tense as Tusk reignited Poland’s long-standing claim that Germany still owes massive compensation for the destruction caused during the Nazi occupation.

🔥 What Triggered the Clash?

Tusk openly challenged Germany’s long-held position that the reparations issue is “legally closed.”

According to Tusk:

Poland never received proper compensation for the tragedies and losses of WWII.

The supposed Polish “waiver” from the 1950s was signed under Soviet pressure, not the free will of the Polish nation.

The previous Polish government calculated €1.3 trillion as the value of damages caused by Nazi Germany.

Germany, meanwhile, continues to insist the matter is settled — though Merz admitted the emotional weight behind the issue cannot simply be ignored.

🇩🇪 Germany’s Countermoves

To ease tensions, Berlin highlighted several steps it is ready to take:

A dedicated memorial in Berlin honoring Polish victims of Nazi Germany.

Efforts to return stolen Polish cultural artifacts taken during WWII.

Possible additional assistance for surviving victims, though earlier plans failed to move forward.

Tusk voiced frustration at the slow progress, pointing out the harsh

🌍 Why This Matters for Europe

The reparations dispute threatens to overshadow crucial areas where Germany and Poland need unity:

Coordinating defense and support for Ukraine

Strengthening border security

Rebuilding the Weimar Triangle partnership (Germany–Poland–France)

Preventing political radicals from stirring anti-German or anti-Polish sentiment

Despite the heated exchange, Tusk emphasized that cooperation on Ukraine remains: