Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski corrected a German diplomat’s comparison of the Russia-Ukraine war to World War II during an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
Sikorski Corrects Historical Comparison
During a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski intervened when one participant stated that the Russia-Ukraine war has lasted as long as World War II. Sikorski corrected this statement, emphasizing that the German-Soviet war is not the same as World War II, and urged his German counterpart to convey this message to Chancellor Merz.
Historical Context
Sikorski noted that such simplifications are historically imprecise. He reminded attendees that World War II began on September 1, 1939, in Gdansk and had a much broader scope than just the German-Soviet conflict from 1941-1945. The minister also highlighted that for the first year and a half of World War II, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union were allies.
EU Meeting and Tensions
The exchange occurred during discussions of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which covered topics including Russian aggression in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and disinformation. While no names were mentioned during the meeting, Sikorski’s remarks were clearly directed at the German delegation. The incident reflects historical sensitivities in Polish-German relations, particularly regarding the start of World War II and the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. Poland has previously objected to formulations that blur Germany’s responsibility in historical conflicts.
