Publication

This report discusses Germany's position toward Russia in terms of energy and security policy. It argues that Russia has been Germany’s primary source of oil and gas imports since well before the fall of the Soviet Union and that this sometimes puts Germany at odds with the wider EU agenda. With respect to security policy, the report stresses Germany's efforts to stay loyal to NATO while remaining committed to the task of including Russia in a future European security architecture. It concludes that Germany serves as a moderating element in international affairs and that it may prove to be the most stable guarantee against an escalation of tensions with Russia.