How Germany’s Approach to Russia Backfired

<p>Thirty years ago, Germany put forth a theory for how to work with Russia. Major energy deals, leaders argued, would keep Russia from going to war with its neighbors.</p><p>Over the past 20 years, Germany has made itself incredibly dependent on Russian gas. </p><p>The war in Ukraine has complicated that relationship and has shown how Germany’s approach to Russia has not only failed, but also backfired.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/katrin-bennhold?smid=pc-thedaily">Katrin Bennhold</a>, the Berlin bureau chief for The New York Times.</p><p>Want more from The Daily? For one big idea on the news each week from our team, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/world/europe/germany-gas-russia-ukraine.html">Germany, dependent on Russian gas, has so far refused to cut off President Vladimir V. Putin</a>, whose war it is effectively subsidizing to the tune of some $220 million in energy payments a day.</li><li>Under increasing pressure to sever the country’s reliance on Russian energy, German officials must contend with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/05/business/germany-russia-oil-gas-coal.html?smid=pc-thedaily">deeply rooted economic ties</a>. </li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>