Germany’s Role in European Russia Policy

“Germany’s Role in European Russia Policy—A New German Power? provides an innovative framework for analysing how EU-Russia relations might develop well into the twenty-first century.”

--- Professor Angela Stent, Director, Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, Georgetown University

“With her sophisticated, well-researched and astute assessment of Germany‘s influence on European policies towards Russia, Liana Fix effectively debunks many of the myths about Germany‘s alleged „hegemony“ in Europe. Essential reading for anyone interested in Germany in Europe.”

--- Professor Hanns W. Maull, Senior Distinguished Fellow, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)


“This book is highly recommended to anyone who wishes to understand how EU foreign policy emerges from the complex interaction between member states and EU institutions. I particularly hope it will find many readers in Russia, where experts and policy makers alike tend to frame Germany’s changing role and policy in terms of traditional great power politics.”


--- Dr. Sabine Fischer, Team Leader, Public Diplomacy. EU and Russia project, Moscow


This book contributes to the debate about a new German power in Europe with an analysis of Germany’s role in European Russia policy. It provides an up-to-date account of Germany’s “Ostpolitik” and how Germany has influenced EU-Russia relations since the Eastern enlargement in 2004 - partly along, partly against the interests and preferences of new member states. The volume combines a rich empirical analysis of Russia policy with a theory-based perspective on Germany’s power and influence in the EU. The findings demonstrate that despite Germany’s central role, exercising power within the EU is dependent on legitimacy and acceptance by other member states.

Liana Fix is a historian and political scientist. In her work, she focuses on German foreign policy, Russia and Eastern Europe as well as European security and has published widely in academia, think tanks and national and international media. She completed a doctorate degree at the Justus Liebig University Giessen and a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science.