Challenges And Opportunities In Political And Economic Relations Between Germany And Russian Federation

Considering the current international environment, described by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, political hesitancies and acute trade strains, in connection with Russian Federation’s permanent attempts to reassert itself as a global power, as well as with the progressively sanction regime imposed against the country by the European Union, our article aims at presenting from a wider perspective the political and economic relations between Germany and Russian Federation in the last decades. The review of the major stages they have gone through – namely, moments of crisis and conflicts, followed by periods of increased cooperation and rapprochement – will allow us a better understanding of the current context and future prospects governing German-Russian relations, as well as of their importance in the regional context, given the countries’ position in the international economic and political arena. At the same time, by analysing the rupture in relations between Germany and Russian Federation after the annexation of Crimea, the present paper will reveal that energy and economic interdependence does not always create win-win situations but can also generate vulnerabilities, as it may determine paradigm shifts – from the economic aspects prevailing over political matters to the predominance of the latter.