Russia in Global Affairs

The underlying idea of the article is that the Navalny incident is just one of the episodes in the long story of Germany’s long-term disillusionment with Russia. It began after the 2011 Duma elections and swiftly followed Vladimir Putin’s return as president in 2012.

This Monday marked 50 years since one of the 20th century’s most iconic moments, when German Chancellor Willy Brandt fell to his knees in Warsaw, emotionally apologizing for the horrors the Nazis had unleashed on Eastern Europe.

The far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is about to take up its seats in German parliament. How did we get here?

Angela Merkel became Chancellor supposedly at a time when there was no longer a German policy vis-?-vis Russia, but an all-European Russia policy.

The growing politicization and securitization of all areas of German-Russian relations marks the end of Germany’s post-Cold-War Eastern policy. Returning to business as usual is now utterly impossible on both sides.

Germany will not become the main adversary of Russia in Europe but remains its main interlocutor on the continent – and Moscow is well advised to make proper use of that.

The last twenty-five years have largely been wasted. The world has become a more dangerous place, Europe is about to split up and become weaker or even slide into a large-scale war. Unless Europe works out a new ambitious and unifying idea, the Ukrainian crisis and its demons will continue spreading.

This edition is somewhat unusual as it begins a series of special issues focusing on national interests and foreign policy seen through society’ demands, needs and perceptions. This project is a result of our magazine club meetings held since the fall of 2013. Many ideas were initially voiced there. Our special thanks go to the Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Research for making it possible to offer the results of our informal discussions to a broader audience and for supporting our efforts with a presidential grant.

The contrast between Germany and Russia can be described and explained by both countries' historical experience