Poland’s standing on the European and global stage has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past year and a half, shifting from prominence to a state of internal discord that now threatens its influence among its Western allies. The country’s once-unified approach to foreign policy has been upended by a fierce political rivalry between President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, with consequences reverberating far beyond Warsaw’s borders.
Just last year, Poland was seen as a linchpin in European efforts to support Ukraine and counter Russian aggression. But recent events indicate that its leadership is now divided, and its voice in key international forums is fading. According to POLITICO, Poland was conspicuously absent from a recent White House crisis meeting where top European leaders gathered in Washington to shore up support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the face of pressure from Donald Trump. This absence has not gone unnoticed among Poland’s allies, who once viewed Warsaw as one of Kyiv’s most steadfast supporters.
The internal rift between the president and the prime minister has also undermined Poland’s efforts to revive the so-called Weimar Triangle—an alliance with Germany and France intended to strengthen regional security and cooperation. As Paris and Berlin increasingly pursue their own bilateral relationship, Poland’s influence within this triad has diminished. The country’s status as a key ally to Ukraine has been further weakened by domestic political disputes, particularly over policies regarding Ukrainian refugees.
These divisions came into sharp focus during commemorations marking the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II on the Westerplatte peninsula in Gdańsk. On Monday, September 1, 2025, President Karol Nawrocki issued a forceful and unequivocal demand for World War II reparations from Germany. Speaking to a crowd that included Prime Minister Tusk, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and parliamentary Speaker Szymon Hołownia, Nawrocki declared, “To build partnership … we must finally resolve the issue of reparations from the German state, which, as president of Poland, I unequivocally demand.” He called on the government to amplify his stance, underscoring his commitment to the long-standing campaign for compensation led by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, now in opposition.
Nawrocki linked the origins of World War II to ideas circulating in late-19th-century Germany and cited Adolf Hitler’s August 22, 1939 exhortation to Wehrmacht officers as a pivotal moment. He reminded the audience that at 4:45 a.m. on September 1, 1939, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the Polish military depot at Westerplatte, marking the first battle between Polish and German troops in the war. Polish forces, led by Major Henryk Sucharski, held out until September 7, with between 210 and 240 soldiers defending the facility. According to accounts cited by PAP, 15 Polish defenders died and about 30 were wounded in the fighting, while German losses reached approximately 50 dead and 120 wounded. Nawrocki noted that the remains of Polish soldiers were discovered by archaeologists some eighty years later, an event he described as restoring their dignity.
For Nawrocki, the issue of reparations is not just about history, but about the future of Polish-German relations. “Building good relations with Germany depends on settling reparations,” he asserted. He also warned of the dangers of “reviving neo-imperialism” in Russia, emphasizing that Poland, now a member of both the European Union and NATO, must remain vigilant alongside its partners, including Germany, “the perpetrator of World War II.”
Prime Minister Tusk, addressing the same ceremony, struck a different tone. He called Westerplatte a “sacred place” and urged Poles to be “strong, wise and united,” underscoring the need for close alignment with allies and steadfast support for Ukraine. “The best way to defeat an opponent is without war,” Tusk said, adding, “Poland must never be alone. Poland must never be weak.” His remarks echoed the broader message from government officials: that Poland’s security and prosperity depend on solidarity with NATO and the European Union, and on supporting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz reinforced this message, stating that society “must never become accustomed to war” and pointing to the ongoing civilian deaths in Ukraine. He argued that supporting Ukraine is not only a moral imperative but also a matter of national interest for Poland, noting, “Each day Russia’s army is worn down gives us strength and time to prepare and protect Polish soldiers.” Parliamentary Speaker Hołownia echoed these sentiments, reaffirming Poland’s commitment to its Western partners.
Yet, the push for German reparations has sparked debate within the government. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk expressed hope that the issue would reach a “happy conclusion,” but questioned why President Nawrocki “does not also seek reparations from Russia.” He also asked what the Law and Justice party, which backed Nawrocki, had actually accomplished on reparations during its years in power. Tomczyk insisted that such matters should be separated from politics, arguing, “Authorities should act, not just talk.”
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski added another layer to the controversy with his comments on social media. “The government believes that while Poland is morally entitled to reparations for German crimes during World War II, legally the case is unfortunately hopeless. But we will be rooting for the president’s initiatives to produce results,” Sikorski wrote on X. In a separate post, he mused, “I am puzzled, however, why the nationalist side is not demanding reparations from Russia, which appropriated the compensation awarded to Poland at Potsdam. Interesting.”
As Poland’s internal disputes play out on the world stage, the country’s role as a regional powerbroker is being tested. The absence from the White House meeting on Ukraine, the fading of the Weimar Triangle, and the public airing of disagreements over reparations all point to a nation at a crossroads. On Wednesday, September 3, President Nawrocki is scheduled to visit the White House for talks with Donald Trump, who openly campaigned for him during the Polish presidential election earlier this year. The meeting is expected to further highlight the deepening alignment between Poland’s president and the former U.S. president, even as Prime Minister Tusk pursues a more traditional pro-European path.
Poland’s future direction—whether it reclaims its role as a unifying force in Europe or becomes further mired in domestic strife—remains uncertain. What’s clear is that the stakes, both for Poland and its allies, have rarely been higher.