German–Russian Bilateral Relations and EU Policy on Russia: Between Normalisation and the ‘Multilateral Reflex’

Abstract

Of all the bilateral relationships between EU member states and Russia, Germany is undeniably the most significant. Both have long been key geostrategic actors in the shaping of the European political environment and while conflict has punctuated their more recent shared history, the two states have extensive economic, social and cultural connections stretching back for several centuries. The ‘special relationship’ that exists between the two states has flourished since the end of the Cold War, and the purpose of this article will be to investigate the development of political relations between the two states and the impact bilateral relations have had on the EU policy level.