Let’s remember: the cover of the latest issue of the weekly “Wprost” resonates widely around the world. Shortly after its publication on the web, it was made available to many journalists – including the most opinion-forming media – and political commentators.

What does the cover of “Wprost” show?

They appreciate a cover message that is very outspoken, but at the same time accurate. It depicts French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, talking on a symbolic phone with a bloodied Vladimir Putin.

This is a clear reference to a recent 80-minute conversation that Western European leaders had with a Russian satrap. In a broader context, it alludes to repeated conversations between Macron and Putin, which have come under widespread criticism.

Duda criticizes talks with Putin

Andrzej Duda, who gave an interview to the German daily Bild, joined the criticism of the actions of the German and French leaders. The president also recalled the famous formulation of his French counterpart. According to Macron, the attack on Ukraine must end under circumstances that allow Putin “save face”.

– I was amazed by all the conversations. They did not bring any results. Did anyone speak like that to Adolf Hitler during World War II? Did anyone say Adolf Hitler had to save face? That we should act in such a way as not to embarrass Adolf Hitler? I have never heard such voices – concluded the president.

German “Focus” commented on our cover

The cover of “Wprost” is also a contribution to the column published on Thursday by the German magazine “Focus”. Its author, Ulrich Reitz, criticized the tone of the cover and President Duda’s arguments.

“The German Focus decided to comment on the Wprost cover, and they came out like this: Putin is not Hitler, because he hasn’t killed 6 million Jews. It’s good that Scholz and Macron talk to Putin. Those who criticize Scholz are playing Putin’s game. Oh,” commented Szymon Krawiec, editor-in-chief of Wprost Premium on Twitter.

“Unwise, unreliable and ahistorical”

A columnist for “Focus” decided that our cover “slandered Scholz” and “Reached a sensitive point”and Duda’s statements were “provocative”. In addition, he accused the Polish president of “playing Putin’s game”.

“In the midst of war, the head of state criticizes two allied heads of government for dealing with the enemy they are fighting. The criticism of Polish President Duda of Olaf Scholz and Emanuel Macron is unprecedented, but even more so: ridiculous, unreliable and ahistorical. Poland’s head of state is playing Putin’s game, Reitz said.

“Won’t Stop Them From Shooting”

According to him, contacts with Putin must be maintained, because they can contribute to ending the war. Here he refers to Soviet-American contacts during the Cold War.

“Besides the fact that talking, even with the enemy, won’t stop them from firing, it’s good to keep the lines of communication open. It made no difference in the worst days of the Cold War, for example between the Russian rulers and the American president,” Reitz continued.

“Putin may be a ruthless dictator, but”…

Reitz sharply criticized Duda for comparing Putin to Hitler, which he described as “primitive propaganda.” He said that the Polish president was suspected of undermining the unity of NATO countries. “There’s no need to bounce in this situation.”

“Putin may be a nationalist, avenging, imperialist and ruthless dictator, but – so far – he has not killed millions of people because he considers them inhumane. The ideology may be right-wing, but the industrial killing of six million Jews is historically unprecedented,” wrote a columnist for Focus.

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