Berlin's Dilemma: German Politicians Eager to Restore Relations With Russia

Some German politicians apparently dislike Merkel’s stance on Russia, and are seeking to improve relations with their eastern neighbor.

Angela Merkel was largely successful in uniting the EU countries in imposing sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine last year and has repeatedly hosted both the Ukrainian president and prime minister. However, it appears that the center-left Social Democrats inside her coalition don’t share her views, according to Judy Dempsey, a non-resident senior associate at Carnegie Europe.

According to Dempsey, both Sigmar Gabriel, the leader of Germany’s Social Democrats, and the country’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier seek to restore the Russian-German relationship.

She points out that Gabriel called for the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions in October, and that during his visit to Moscow that month he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller. He complained about the poor state of relations between Berlin and Moscow, adding that he can’t understand how the “development of our two nations went in completely different directions.”

"I feel that the situation surrounding Ukraine is most likely a symptom rather than the cause of the problems that have occurred," Sigmar said, according to an official transcript of the meeting posted on the Russian President’s official website, blaming "parties involved in Europe and the US who benefit from the continuation of this conflict, rather than its resolution."

Gabriel also actively supports the Nord Stream 2 project, which involves the extension of the existing Nord Stream pipeline network to supply natural gas from Russia directly to Germany.

Meanwhile, Steinmeier came up with a proposition to offer Moscow investment and energy concessions, Dempsey adds. He suggested to EU’s trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom to "respond to Russia’s wishes and begin a closer exchange of views on energy and investment protection issues."

Furthermore, Berlin appears receptive to the idea of cooperation between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union championed by Russia.

According to Dempsey, Germany’s Social Democrats appear to adhere to the principles of Ostpolitik, "the defining strategy of rapprochement that has shaped Germany’s relations with Russia since the 1970s," and that some of its neighbors are unnerved by it.