Giorgi Soselia

Merkel’s Legacy, as Seen From Russia

“Merkel’s legacy, as seen from Russia” is an article by Dmitri Trenin that summarizes Merkel’s 16 years
tenure in Russia’s eye. There are represented these changes that took place in German-Russian relations
during Merkel’s legacy. The author also touches on achievements that were achieved by Merkel as the
chancellor of Germany.
In 2005 Angela Merkel replaced Gerhard Schroder on the post of the German chancellor. By this time
Germany had the intention of playing a more important and autonomous role in the international system.
These ambitions were given material existence by Merkel.
Firstly, Merkel reconfirmed Germany’s Atlanticist course and get U.S support. Merkel acknowledged U.S
global leadership unlike her predecessor who tried to counterweight U.S. power with France and Russia
(For instance in 2003, when Berlin, Paris and Moscow formed a new “entente” as some politicians called
it). But Merkel wasn’t a blind follower of the United States and there are some cases when Germany
decline Washington’s narrative.
As the author says Merkel get the status of Primus inter pares in Europe. Germany easily obtained an
advantage over France. France was considered as an equal of Germany at the beginning of Merkel’s legacy
but Merkel’s pragmatic policy changed this fact. Finally, Brexit end up development of Germany’s position
as a hegemon of Europe. It was proven when Germany take over temporary leadership of the liberal west
from the U.S. during the Trump’s administration.
Reconfirmation of the Atlanticist course should mean worsening relations with Russia But it shouldn’t
when Merkel do it. The author thinks that it is fact relation between these two states became colder, but in
my point of view, It was a political trick from Merkel because she can’t fit Russia’s partner's suit. It will
cause Germany’s confirmed partners’ dissatisfaction. For an argument, I recall Merkel’s decision when she
didn’t support Georgia and Ukraine on their way of membership NATO or in 2021 her struggles in achieving
completion of Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia.
Russia is deviant in international society and partnership with it doesn’t any good for democratic countries
especially such a strong preacher of liberalism like Germany. But Merkel was a rare exception who speaks
to Russia fluently. German-Russian relations tended to intensify before the Ukraine crisis then it was
marred. Furthermore, Germany was the first among the countries which imposed sanctions on Russia.
Even though Merkel achieved that Russian- German relations didn’t disappear despite strong criticism of
Moscow’s action.
All in all, the author describes Merkel as a monumental figure. “Her legacy will live after she steps down
from the leadership.” The narrative that we are facing in the article aims at the idea which may be formed
like this – Russian–German partnerships were replaced by transactional relationships during Merkel’s
tenure. It was caused by Germany’s Atlanticist course and Russia’s violent actions which went against
international standards.