Germany and Russia: It's Complicated
How is Germany's long-standing relationship with Russia affecting its response to the war in Ukraine? Olaf Scholz promised a 'turning point' - but have these promises got stuck?
In late February, three days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a landmark speech in the German parliament, the Bundestag. The invasion, he declared, represented a 'Zeitenwende' - a turning point.
The speech has been much discussed since - was Mr Scholz referring simply to the fact of the invasion, or to the way Germany needed to respond to it?
The speech contained a number of policy statements, the boldest of which was the commitment to set up a 100 billion Euro fund to re-equip Germany's outdated armed forces.
The question now is whether Germany will live up to Mr Scholz' promises, or will the cultural, political and economic bonds that have tied Germany and Russia together get in the way?
Presenter: Caroline Bayley
Producer: Tim Mansel
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Programme examining the ideas and forces which shape public policy in Britain and abroad.
