Germany’s Role in European Russia Policy: A New German Power? (New Perspectives in German Political Studies)

✍ Scribed by Liana Fix

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 240
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

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.

✦ Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Author
Abbreviations
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
Framing the Context
State of Research
Theorising Member States’ Influence
Power and the European Union
A Taxonomy of Power
Research Design and Methodology
Case Studies
Chapter 2: The Russian-Georgian War 2008: Germany as a Junior Partner
German Positions and Preferences
Opposing NATO Membership Action Plan for Georgia
Setting the Agenda in Abkhazia
Crisis Mediation
Conflict Phase I: Supporting France’s Conflict Mediation
Conflict Phase II: Keeping the EU Together
Conflict Phase III: Return to Business-as-Usual
Sanctions Policy
Explaining the Final Outcome
German Influence
Alternative Influences I (EU Actors and Member States)
Alternative Influences II (Russia, US, External Shocks)
Conclusion: Germany as a Junior Partner
Chapter 3: The EU-Russia Partnership for Modernisation 2010: Germany as Agenda-Setter
German Positions and Preferences
Policy Initiation (EU Level)
Policy Initiation (Member State Level)
Explaining the Final Outcome
German Influence
Alternative Influences I (EU Actors and Member States)
Alternative Influences II (Russia, US, External Shocks)
Conclusion: Germany as Agenda-Setter
Chapter 4: The Meseberg Initiative 2010: Germany as a Deal-Maker
German Positions and Preferences
Responding to Medvedev’s Proposals
Moldova as a Test Case
Policy Initiation (Bilateral Level)
Policy Initiation (EU Level)
Policy Implementation
Explaining the Final Outcome
German Influence
Alternative Influences I (EU Actors and Member States)
Alternative Influences II (Russia, Moldova, US, External Shocks)
Conclusion: Germany as a Deal-Maker
Chapter 5: The Russia-Ukraine Conflict 2014: Germany as a Leading Power
German Positions and Preferences
Germany and the Eastern Partnership
The Euromaidan Protests
Crisis Mediation
Conflict Phase I: Mediating in Kyiv
Conflict Phase II: Building Crisis Mediation Structures
Conflict Phase III: Negotiating Ceasefire Agreements
Sanctions Policy
Conflict Phase I: Political Sanctions
Conflict Phase II: Economic Sanctions
Conflict Phase III: Military Measures
Explaining the Final Outcome
German Influence
Alternative Influences I (EU Actors and Member States)
Alternative Influences II (Russia, US, External Shocks)
Conclusion: Germany as a Leading Power
Chapter 6: Conclusion
From Hope to Disillusionment
Policy Initiatives and Crisis Mediation
Crisis Situations
Policy Initiatives
Between Leadership and Hegemony
A New German Power?
List of Interviews
Bibliography
Official Documents
Monographies & Edited Volumes
Journal Articles
Policy & Working Papers
News Articles
Index