The 8th Polish-German Round Table brought together experts from Poland, Germany, Ukraine and the Baltic states to discuss key challenges in policy towards Eastern Europe,, including EU-Russia relations, Ukraine’s reconstruction, the Weimar Triangle and security cooperation with the Baltic states.
The 8th edition of the Polish-German Roundtable took place from the 30 June to the 1 July. Over two days, experts from Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and the Baltic States gathered at the Castle on the Water in Wojnowice to discuss the most pressing challenges facing policy on Eastern Europe.
The roundtable took place at a particularly challenging moment in Polish-Ukrainian relations, marked by an ongoing diplomatic crisis following Ukraine's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and by rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment within Polish society, while Russia continues its military aggression against Ukraine. Following the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, the discussion underscored the urgency of addressing continued support for Ukraine and the prospects for its reconstruction. It furthermore highlighted the importance of sustained Polish-German dialogue and broader regional cooperation in responding to evolving geopolitical challenges and strengthening Europe’s eastern dimension.
To open the discussion, the first panel addressed the future of EU–Russia relations. Representatives from Poland and Germany discussed how the Russian aggression against Ukraine has brought about a greater degree of unity among EU Member States in their approach towards Russia. At the same time, the panellists raised concerns about the durability of this consensus, particularly in light of possible political changes in some countries. However, there was broad agreement among the participants that the EU Member States have a shared responsibility to prevent the normalization of relations with Russia, irrespective of the political situation in the country.
During the second panel, participants discussed the economic dimensions of cooperation between Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, as well as the prospects for Ukraine's reconstruction. Bringing together experts from all three countries, the discussion focused on Ukraine's ongoing reform process and its path towards EU integration. The panel also explored ways in which Ukraine could gain access to EU funding even before becoming a full member of the European Union.
The second day began with a panel discussion on the future of the Weimar Triangle and its significance for Eastern Europe. The discussion highlighted the need for stronger strategic coordination within the format. Participants agreed that a more pragmatic approach is needed to identify and advance concrete areas of cooperation. Among the examples discussed were cooperation in countering disinformation and initiatives aimed at strengthening cultural cooperation.
The concluding panel focused on Germany's and Poland's security cooperation with the Baltic States. Participants discussed the evolving security landscape in the region since 2022, highlighting significant progress in strengthening societal resilience and energy infrastructure. They also emphasized the importance of Germany's increased military presence in Lithuania, recognizing it as a key contribution to safeguarding NATO's eastern flank.
The Polish-German Round Table is organized by the College of Eastern Europe (KEW) in partnership with, and with the financial support of, the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw, the Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation, the German Consulate-General in Wrocław, and the Regional Center for International Debate in the Lower Silesian and Opole Voivodeships.
View the photo gallery from the 8th Polish-German Round Table
8. edycja Polsko-Niemieckiego Okrągłego Stołu poświęconego polityce wschodniej - Heinrich Böll Stiftung Warszawa
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