Sikorski Criticizes Bąkiewicz’s Berlin Protest: “He Can Also Demand Justice for Victims in Moscow”

During the Polish-German Forum in Berlin, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dismissed the protest by Robert Bąkiewicz’s “Border Defense Movement” at a WWII memorial, suggesting the activist’s priorities are misplaced.

Diplomatic Tensions in Berlin

On Wednesday, the Polish-German Forum took place at the German Foreign Ministry, featuring heads of diplomacy from both nations. Minister Sikorski emphasized the shared security concerns between Poland and Germany, particularly regarding the strengthening of NATO’s eastern flank and the Baltic region.

When questioned about the German police intervention involving the Border Defense Movement (ROG), which occurred while attempting to place a cross at a memorial for Polish victims of the Third Reich, Sikorski noted that the memorial is already under development through official government channels.

Sikorski Questions Political Motivations

Sikorski questioned the intent behind Bąkiewicz’s actions, suggesting the goal was to disrupt the process rather than serve Polish interests. He also challenged the use of a religious cross as a political tool, asking whether such a sacred symbol should be exploited for political purposes.

The Foreign Minister suggested that if Bąkiewicz is truly concerned about Polish victims, he should direct his efforts toward Moscow regarding victims of past purges and murders, noting that crimes committed by the Third Reich in Poland are already documented and officially commemorated in Berlin.

Clash at the Memorial

On June 16, a group of about 15 members of the Border Defense Movement attempted to march toward a memorial site in central Berlin with a large wooden cross. Berlin police reported that the march was prohibited, and after the group ignored instructions to proceed individually or move to a nearby park, officers used physical force to detain six individuals.

Footage circulated on social media showed a scuffle between protesters and police. Robert Bąkiewicz, the leader of the group, was among those temporarily detained, handcuffed, and later released.

Official Reactions and Domestic Dispute

Deputy Interior Minister Wiesław Szczepański stated that those who break the law must face the consequences of their actions. Conversely, Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau in the President’s Office, argued that the Polish government should provide support to its citizens when treated inappropriately by the authorities of an allied state, calling for a political intervention.