Former German Ambassador to Poland Rolf Nikel says relations between Warsaw and Berlin are entering “a surprisingly good” phase, with both governments demonstrating a united stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine and new momentum on historical reconciliation. Nikel told TVP World that the latest round of intergovernmental consultations was far more productive than expected. “My expectations were lower, but the results were on the high end of my expectations,” he said. “Germany and Poland are on the same side of history when it comes to the war against Ukraine.” Nikel pointed to Germany’s air-policing missions on NATO’s eastern flank, including deployments to Poland’s 22nd Air Base near the northern town of Malbork, and to both countries’ commitment to strengthening joint defense planning. “We are moving in the right direction together,” he said, adding that Berlin “wholeheartedly supports” Poland receiving one-third of the EU’s SAFE defense fund. Progress was also made on long-standing historical issues. “It became very clear that the remembrance of Polish victims of German occupation is moving forward to a permanent site,” Nikel said. He also highlighted Germany’s recent return of 73 artifacts looted by the Teutonic Order, calling it evidence that “things are moving—maybe not as fast as some want, but they are moving.” On domestic political pressures, including the AfD, Nikel said: “Their influence on concrete policies is very, very limited. The political elite in Germany is squarely behind a strong position vis-à-vis Russia.” Looking ahead, he said the creation of commissions on defense, infrastructure, and cultural restitution “shows there is a dynamism in this relationship again.”
