Germany's policy towards Russia affects not only these two countries. It affects all of Europe and beyond. Different visions and interests clash in Berlin. There are also many variables and unknowns, such as the end of Angela Merkel's era or the attempted poisoning of Alexei Navalny.

EPISODE NOTES

Germany and Russia have a particularly strong relationship. It is not always good, but it is unique. "There are many Russian lawyers in Germany," explains Olga Doleśniak-Harczuk. However, there is also the other side, people who are critical of Moscow's behavior and unpredictability. According to Susan Stewart, the latter trend is growing. Disappointment towards Russia was brought about by the war in Ukraine, the failure of rapprochement attempts and, more recently, the attempted assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny's life.

Wilfried Jilge places German-Russian relations in the context of relations between Russia, the European Union and the United States. The German expert emphasizes that Russia is systematically removing the West from regions that the Kremlin considers strategic. This is especially true of the Caucasus and the Black and Caspian basins. In his opinion, in this part of the world, Moscow's influence is growing despite the frequent voices in the West pointing to the weakening of the Russian state.

Contributors:
Olgi Doleśniak–Harczuk
Alicja Baczyńska
Wilfrieda Jilge
Adam Reichardt
Susan Stewart