Poland Prepares Lawsuit Against Russia Over Past Damages

Alleged damages date back to Poland's time as a Soviet ally during the Polish People's Republic era.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Poland is preparing to file a lawsuit against Russia over alleged damages inflicted on the country during the period when it was an ally of the Soviet Union and part of the Polish People's Republic, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Why it matters

The lawsuit represents an attempt by Poland to seek compensation for historical grievances from its time as a Soviet satellite state. It reflects ongoing tensions between Poland and Russia, as well as broader geopolitical shifts in Eastern Europe since the end of the Cold War.

The details

Details of the planned lawsuit, including the specific damages being claimed and the legal arguments Poland intends to make, have not been publicly disclosed. However, the move signals Poland's desire to hold Russia accountable for its actions during the communist era when Poland was firmly within the Soviet sphere of influence.

  • Poland was an ally of the Soviet Union and part of the Polish People's Republic from the end of World War II until the collapse of communism in 1989.

The players

Poland

A country in Central Europe that was an ally of the Soviet Union and part of the Warsaw Pact during the communist era.

Russia

The successor state to the Soviet Union, which dominated Poland and other Eastern Bloc countries during the Cold War period.

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The takeaway

This lawsuit represents Poland's efforts to seek accountability and compensation for its historical grievances against Russia stemming from the communist era, underscoring the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the two countries in the post-Cold War period.