Name: Tensions between Germany, Poland fuel security fears
Uploaded: 2025-12-02T14:57:41.396Z
Duration: 2 min 50 s
Description: As Russia advances in Ukraine, Berlin and Warsaw remain divided. How concerning is this for the security situation in Europe?

As Russia advances in Ukraine, Berlin and Warsaw remain divided. How concerning is this for the security situation in Europe?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met in Berlin for the 17th round of government talks, focusing on security cooperation in light of recent Russian military provocations near Poland. Despite shared concerns, underlying mistrust persists between the two countries, with Poland seeking recognition as a key regional power and more direct involvement in European security decisions.

Experts describe the relationship as paradoxical, noting that while Poland desires closer cooperation, actual progress remains limited. Recent discussions on the US-Ukraine peace plan and the potential stationing of European fighter jets in Poland occurred without direct Polish input, prompting calls from Prime Minister Tusk for greater respect and partnership from Germany.

Tensions between Germany, Poland fuel security fears

Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Prime Minister Donald Tusk for the 17th German-Polish government talks in Berlin on Monday. Their meeting comes after EU foreign and defence ministers met in Brussels and as Poland seeks to deter Moscow's recent provocations, Russian fighter jets recently triggered air raid sirens in Poland. The country wants to foster stronger relations with Germany, but there is also mistrust. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasised the importance of solidarity. Expert Dr Kai-Olaf Lang describes German-Polish relations as paradoxical. According to Dr Lang, Poland sees itself as the regional power in Eastern Central Europe and wants to be treated as such. As the government in Warsaw seeks more direct cooperation on security issues, the reality on the ground seems to be different. Can this paradoxical situation develop into a strong German-Polish security partnership in the future? Poland wants to have more dialogue on security issues. Recently, the US-Ukraine peace plan was discussed over the heads of Poland, including the point 9 with the stationing of European fighter jets in the Polish territory. Today, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk makes it clear that decisions on security in Europe must not be made over Poland and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz must now prove that he takes Poland seriously as a strategic security partner. Diana Reznik, from Berlin, for Euronews.

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