Overview

The relationship between Germany and Russia is Europe's most important link with the largest country on the continent. But despite Germany's unparalleled knowledge and historical experience, its policymakers struggle to accept that Moscow's efforts to rebalance Europe at the cost of the cohesion of the EU and NATO are an attack on Germany's core interests. This book explains the scale of the challenge facing Germany in managing relations with a changing Russia. It analyses how successive German governments from 1991 to 2014 misread Russian intentions, until Angela Merkel sharply recalibrated German and EU policy towards Moscow. The book also examines what lies behind efforts to revise Merkel's bold policy shift, including attitudes inherited from the GDR and the role of Russian influence channels in Germany.

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9781526151506

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Reviews

'Suffused with nostalgia for the glory days of Ostpolitik, Germany's approach to Russia bogs down in what might more aptly be called Lost-politik. Cliches, wishful thinking and neuroses are its hallmarks. John Lough nails them all. With admirable clarity, fairness and insight, he lays bare the roots and results of Germany's failure to think strategically about Russia, and the price that everyone else pays as a result.' Edward Lucas, author of The New Cold War -- .

'Suffused with nostalgia for the glory days of Ostpolitik, Germany's approach to Russia bogs down in what might more aptly be called Lost-politik. Cliches, wishful thinking and neuroses are its hallmarks. John Lough nails them all. With admirable clarity, fairness and insight, he lays bare the roots and results of Germany's failure to think strategically about Russia, and the price that everyone else pays as a result.' Edward Lucas, author of The New Cold War 'Provocative and brilliantly written, this book examines the deep relationship between two mutually indispensable nations and explains how Russia triggers reflexes in Germany that distort its policy thinking and produce contradictory results. With courage, honesty and insight, John Lough navigates one of the most sensitive areas of global politics today and sees a crucial role for Germany in creating a transformation around Russia that can facilitate its return to Europe.' Lilia Shevtsova, author of Putin's Russia 'John Lough's book is nuanced, astute and fair. That makes his account of how hope keeps triumphing over experience in Germany's Russia policy all the more devastating.' Constanze Stelzenmueller, Fritz Stern Chair, Brookings Institution -- .

'Suffused with nostalgia for the glory days of Ostpolitik, Germany's approach to Russia bogs down in what might more aptly be called Lost-politik. Cliches, wishful thinking and neuroses are its hallmarks. John Lough nails them all. With admirable clarity, fairness and insight, he lays bare the roots and results of Germany's failure to think strategically about Russia, and the price that everyone else pays as a result.' Edward Lucas, author of The New Cold War 'Provocative and brilliantly written, this book examines the deep relationship between two mutually indispensable nations and explains how Russia triggers reflexes in Germany that distort its policy thinking and produce contradictory results. With courage, honesty and insight, John Lough navigates one of the most sensitive areas of global politics today and sees a crucial role for Germany in creating a transformation around Russia that can facilitate its return to Europe.' Lilia Shevtsova, author of Putin's Russia -- .

Author Information

John Lough is an Associate Fellow of the Russia & Eurasia Programme at Chatham House (since 2009) and a regular commentator on Russian and Ukrainian affairs. He spent six years with NATO managing information programmes aimed at Central and Eastern Europe, including a posting to Moscow, where he set up NATO's Information Office in Russia and was the first Alliance official to be permanently based in the country. He runs his own consultancy business, advising clients on political and investment risk in Russia, Ukraine and other countries of the former Soviet Union. He studied German and Russian literature at Cambridge University.

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