ABSTRACT
Germany is arguably the EU member state with the most developed relationship with Russia. This is due to a complex mixture of historical, geographical, cultural, political and economic factors, not least among them the division of Germany into two states during the Cold War. Since unified Germany is also a major economic and political powerhouse within the EU, its potential to project its ideas and interests regarding Russia onto the European stage is significant. Germany is often reproached for being too tolerant of Russian flaws and too inclined to allow Russian interests to influence its agenda, as well as for pursuing specifically national interests which hinder the emergence of an effective EU line towards the Russian Federation.
