Is Germany Part of the West?

Abstract

In the past, Russians have often seen Germany as European — positively connoted — but not as Western — a negatively connoted concept. Recent developments including the Ukraine crisis have put the special partnership between Germany and Russia into question, and Russian perceptions of Germany have become more negative. Have these developments shifted narratives so that Russians now see Germany as part of the West? This article presents results of interviews conducted with Russian students on their perceptions of Germany. While they describe Germany and Europe as dominated by the West, interview participants also narrate Germany as naturally connected with Russia: they expect it to shake off the influence of the West and return to its former close relationship. Thus, recent developments have indeed changed Russian perceptions. Germany is seen as Western in spite of itself, unable to follow its own interests, which are assumed to lie in closer cooperation with Russia.