The Russia-Ukraine War as a Factor of Germany Foreign and Security Policies’ Transformation

Abstract

Federal Republic of Germany plays one of the major roles in the European and international arena in the post-bipolar period of international relations. After the reunification, Berlin managed to avoid the revival of traditional approaches in foreign and security policy. In the new spirit that was introduced in the international arena, Germany found itself as a “tender giant” willing to cooperate with its neighbors. Germany’s foreign and security policy is based on key principles and approaches of the international liberal order. However, the international reality in post-bipolar period became more complicated forcing Berlin to update its understanding of theoretical principles so they to meet challenges in the constantly changing security environment. German political establishment was escaping the task as long as it could, until February 24, 2022. At this moment, it appeared that German’s Russian policy, namely Ostpolitik, doesn’t work anymore, simultaneously generating serious security risks Germany’s security policy is unable to meet. Ostpolitik, being presented by W. Brandt in bipolar times, has remained intact in Germany’s foreign policy after its reunification and dissolution of the USSR. Even more, it was fully concentrated on Russia. As a result, Ukraine was viewed by German politicians through Russian lens, which resulted in quite soft approach towards Russian actions in 2014. Turning to be a hostage of Russian energy blackmail, Berlin realized that Moscow’s behavior threatens its national security, and strongly contradicts the principles of its foreign and security policy. In its turn, the ongoing war in Ukraine and security developments it generates forced Berlin to become more proactive in military sphere. Chancellor O. Scholz has initiated tectonical changes in security policy, which resulted in arms supplies to Ukraine. In parallel, Berlin has initiated thorough revision of Ostpolitik, bringing it into line with its foreign and security principles. Currently Germany’s foreign and security policy undergo severe revision. And even if the process seems too partial and slow, one can state that we are witnessing the emergence of a new powerful player in the future European and international security system, which final framework is to be clarified after the end of the war.