When Angela Merkel took over as Germany’s chancellor in 2005 Western leaders had high hopes that Russia would progress from semi-authoritarian regime to liberal democracy. Four years earlier Vladimir Putin had declared in a speech in German to the Bundestag, “Russia is a friendly-minded European country.” The then chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, Mrs Merkel’s predecessor, became so chummy with Mr Putin that shortly before leaving office he approved the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany crossing the Baltic Sea. Russia provided 40% of Germany’s gas. Germany was about to become Russia’s largest trading partner.
The Economist: Angela Merkel bids Vladimir Putin a disillusioned farewell
German Chancellor Angela Merkel shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival to attend the Peace summit on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin on Jan. 19, 2020.
