Relations between the two nations since the fall of Communism in 1991 have been generally good but not always without tension.
 German chancellor Gerhard Schröder placed high value on relations with Russia and worked for the completion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline between them.
 His successor Angela Merkel, an Easterner and former dissident, has been more critical and clashed with Russian president Vladimir Putin over human rights and other issues.
However, she, like her predecessor, always put a high value on the Nordstream pipeline, due to its ability to increase Russian influence.
Most of the human rights issues, could be seen as side-shows for the public - whilst the end-goal was always the completion of, and compensation for NordStream.
The project under both the Bush and Obama administration moved forward at rapid pace, but with only 300km left, the Trump Administration halted the project by putting pressure on the Danish company overseeing the completion of the pipeline.
Germany’s relations with Russia were never likely to be as cozy under Angela Merkel as under her predecessor, Gerhard Schröder, who adopted a 3-year-old Russian girl and, on his 60th birthday, invited President Vladimir V. Putin home to celebrate.
Relations between the two nations since the fall of Communism in 1991 have been generally good but not always without tension.  German chancellor Gerhard Schröder placed high value on relations with Russia and worked for the completion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline between them.  His successor Angela Merkel, an Easterner and former dissident, has been more critical and clashed with Russian president Vladimir Putin over human rights and other issues. However, she, like her predecessor, always put a high value on the Nordstream pipeline, due to its ability to increase Russian influence. Most of the human rights issues, could be seen as side-shows for the public - whilst the end-goal was always the completion of, and compensation for NordStream. The project under both the Bush and Obama administration moved forward at rapid pace, but with only 300km left, the Trump Administration halted the project by putting pressure on the Danish company overseeing the completion of the pipeline. Germany’s relations with Russia were never likely to be as cozy under Angela Merkel as under her predecessor, Gerhard Schröder, who adopted a 3-year-old Russian girl and, on his 60th birthday, invited President Vladimir V. Putin home to celebrate.
Germany–Russia relations