[przemub]

Well, Germany made an assumption that their „partner”, which already was starting wars, would at least keep them far enough from their home turf. It backfired spectacularly and we can blame German government for that.

Not much to disagree about generating energy at home though.

[jacquesm]

The 'handel durch wandel' policy was always predicated on the fact that economic pressure would be a strong tool to force russia to abandon its policy of expansion. It did not work. I don't blame the politicians so much for trying as I do for not realizing way earlier that it clearly wasn't working. The revolving door to high positions in the russian oil industry should have been forbidden to them and obviously they should have known better. But hope springs eternal and I can see why they fell for it, even if I think it was dumb (and I already thought so at the time, but I'm more of a pessimist I guess).

[jacquesm]

Hah, that was a sloppy typo, of course I meant 'wandel durch handel'... serves me right for posting before my first tea.

[willvarfar]

Yes they thought that dependence would be codependence and make Russia less willing to start wars etc.