Polish-German perspectives on Eastern Europe

EPISODE SUMMARYGermany and the Baltic states are linked by history and current interests. There are also major differences between them - for example, attitudes towards Russia. However, differences on such issues as the Nord Stream gas pipelines or Moscow's aggressive policy has not prevented fruitful cooperation.EPISODE NOTESThe relationship between Germany and the Baltic states is characterized by an extensive network of economic and political interests. This wasn’t always the case. After the fall of communism, Berlin was apprehensive with the Baltic drive for independence. It saw in it a potential obstacle for the reunification of Germany. However, this has changed over time.Currently, despite a great disproportion, the Germans and the Baltics need each other. Russia's aggressive policy towards Ukraine, the events in Belarus and Brexit have highlighted the importance of this cooperation. Moreover, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia belong to the European Union; they are in the euro zone; and are members if NATO, which, despite their small size, makes them desirable international partners.Yet, these relations are far from ideal. They are burdened by economic ties between Berlin and Moscow, especially the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. While the Baltics enjoy a good reputation in Germany, they are criticised for their firm anti-Russian policy. However, here too, the year 2014 and Russia's aggression in Ukraine changed a lot. Since then, Berlin has clearly increased its military involvement in the Baltic Sea basin, although it still has a lot to do. SHOW CONTRIBUTORSGustav GresselKinga RaśMichał ŻakowskiBartosz PanekAdam Reichardt

EPISODE SUMMARYLithuania, Latvia and Estonia have in many areas broken with the difficult heritage of the Soviet Union. One key element in their fight for independence has been energy independence. Now, with increasing global awareness, the time has come for an ecological transformation.EPISODE NOTESIn the coming years, the European Union’s "Green Deal" will have a strong impact on the economies and societies of the regions once belonging to the Soviet Union. At the same time, Germany is the greatest advocate of increasing the ambitions of Europe’s climate policy. The leaders of these changes, including the Nordic countries, are tightening the standards and targets for reducing carbon dioxide in the environment. This is also a serious challenge for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.Katarzyna Dośpiał-Borysiak from the Faculty of International and Political Studies at the University of Łódź tells how the countries that once belonged to the Soviet Union deal with this difficult heritage. Does Ukraine, a country full of political, economic and social problems, striving to join the European Union, even think about entering the orbit of climate tasks? And yet it is precisely this that may decide whether or not to be in the EU in the future.SHOW CONTRIBUTORSKatarzyna Dośpiał – BorysiakMichał ŻakowskiAdam Reichardt

EPISODE SUMMARYGermany plays a key role in the West's policy towards Ukraine and Belarus. Despite its influence, Berlin is only one player. And Russia is at the heart of the network of connections in this region, including economic ones.EPISODE NOTESThe events in Belarus were met with a relatively large response in Germany. Nevertheless, the successive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed the protests further down the agenda of European politics. This is proven by the ambiguously assessed sanctions against the Lukashenka regime. The situation is complicated by extensive economic ties. Here, the Belarusian opposition often overestimates the influence of Germany on the course of events, especially on Russia.The European Union, including Germany, is concerned about the destabilization of Belarus and a repeat of Ukraine. Berlin follows the events in Kyiv and supports President Zelensky's reform efforts. Germany is interested in a peaceful end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but has no illusions that Kyiv and Moscow are fundamentally different about the future of Donbas.SHOW CONTRIBUTORSPaweł UsowJarosław KociszewskiMichał ŻakowskiSusan StewartNilsa SchmidtAdam Reichardt John BeauchampListen to this podcast in Polish here: https://nowa-europa-wschodnia.simplecast.com/episodes/niemcy-ukraina-bialorus

EPISODE SUMMARYNord Stream - two gas pipelines connecting Germany and Russia. One is functioning, and the struggle for the other is still taking place. For some it is a symbol of the division of Europe, and for others it is proof of Germany's realism and the realization of its own economic interests.EPISODE NOTES The Nord Stream gas pipeline is much more than an energy transaction, although many people in Germany have long had trouble admitting that it is also a political issue. The first pipeline with Russian gas has been flowing to the German side for many years. The construction of the second gas pipeline is close to completion, but the battle continues and divides not only Germans, but also Europeans more broadly.It is difficult for German voters to understand why they would have to abandon such a huge investment, let alone withdraw from the concluded agreement. Others are convinced by ecological arguments related to the modernization of the entire energy sector. Nevertheless, there are also many critics, and the divisions take place within the political parties. There are no indications that the legal battle for putting into operation an investment worth at least 10 billion euros will end soon.ContributorsIza PołońskaMichał ŻakowskiSusan StewartWilfried JilgeSzymon KardaśAdam Reichardt

Germany's policy towards Russia affects not only these two countries. It affects all of Europe and beyond. Different visions and interests clash in Berlin. There are also many variables and unknowns, such as the end of Angela Merkel's era or the attempted poisoning of Alexei Navalny.EPISODE NOTESGermany and Russia have a particularly strong relationship. It is not always good, but it is unique. "There are many Russian lawyers in Germany," explains Olga Doleśniak-Harczuk. However, there is also the other side, people who are critical of Moscow's behavior and unpredictability. According to Susan Stewart, the latter trend is growing. Disappointment towards Russia was brought about by the war in Ukraine, the failure of rapprochement attempts and, more recently, the attempted assassination attempt on Alexei Navalny's life.Wilfried Jilge places German-Russian relations in the context of relations between Russia, the European Union and the United States. The German expert emphasizes that Russia is systematically removing the West from regions that the Kremlin considers strategic. This is especially true of the Caucasus and the Black and Caspian basins. In his opinion, in this part of the world, Moscow's influence is growing despite the frequent voices in the West pointing to the weakening of the Russian state.Contributors:Olgi Doleśniak–HarczukAlicja BaczyńskaWilfrieda JilgeAdam ReichardtSusan Stewart