Good Neighbourliness in a Tense Neighbourhood: German—Polish Relations, 1990 to the Ukraine Crisis

Abstract

The German—Polish relationship developed strong, deep roots over the two and a half decades since the collapse of communism in eastern Europe and the unification of Germany. The Ukraine crisis revealed, or rather was a stark reminder that, Germany and Poland have different perspectives about Russia’s relationship to Europe, its impact on the region’s security, and how best to guarantee that security. Whereas Germany sought to cultivate a special relationship with Russia in the late 1990s, Poland saw a need to Europeanise relations with Russia. Elections in Poland in 2015 directed further attention to the country’s differences with Germany and the EU. Despite their occasionally divergent foreign and security policy perspectives, however, both countries have practical reasons to work toward strengthening European foreign and security policy cooperation.