1、 Germany and the Ukraine Crisis:End of the Age of Illusions Shimon Stein|No.15 86|March 31,2022 There seems to be no country in Europe where the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a greater systemic upheaval than in Germany.The invasion roused Germany from the illusions that have guided its deal
2、ings with Russia since the 1970s the“Ostpolitik”(eastern)policy.The collapse of the Soviet Union,the unification of Germany,and the(apparent)disappearance of the Soviet threat created a sense of the end of history and the victory of the liberal West.Enjoyment of the“fruits of peace”became the motto
3、of German policy,bringing with it dependence on Russia,the United States,and China.Without the invasion of Ukraine it is doubtful whether Germany would have taken the decision to bring about a paradigm shift in its security,arms exports,and energy policies.While this shift was announced by Chancello
4、r Olaf Scholz in a speech at the Bundestag,it remains to be seen whether his determination will translate into action and be implemented over the long term.There seems to be no country in Europe where the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused,in a short time,a more widespread systemic upheaval than