Russia and Germany in Wider Europe: Dynamics of Rapprochment and Alienation

The resumption of Vladimir Putin’s presidency and the strengthening of nationalist rhetoric during his presidential campaign significantly complicated Russia’s relations with the European Union and its major member states. Most pro-Kremlin observers assert that Russia—even if it wanted to—cannot integrate with the West: the latter’s major institutions—the EU and NATO—are in crisis and their future uncertain. Consequently, this leaves Moscow with two basic directions: fostering bilateral relations with individual Western states and pursuing a more robust policy in the post-Soviet region. Against this backdrop, the Kremlin is likely to keep treating the EU as a weak international actor, while expecting Germany to remain the most loyal to Russia among the EU’s member states. […] 

More (PDF)