The Salisbury Poisoning Case and German–Russian Relations: Ambiguity and Ambivalence

Abstract

Governments of Western democracies responded quickly to the poisoning—allegedly by agents of the Russian state—of former Soviet spy, Sergei Skripal, and his daughter in Salisbury, UK in March 2018. Germany's response was not as categorically reproachful and drew attention to its relationship with Vladimir Putin's Russia more generally. It expelled four Russian diplomats and has applied sanctions since Russia's annexation of Crimea, yet continues with other bilateral trade and investment, significantly in the energy sector, and it has been hesitant about unconditionally rebuking aggressive Russian behaviour. A complex mix of domestic politics and international relations, historical memory, economic incentives, and political psychology in the age of the internet and ‘fake news’ serve to influence German attitudes toward Russia. A contest between Putin critics and sympathisers sharpens in a polity in which the majority are ambivalent. In the aftermath of the Skripal affair, some rethinking of an ambiguous policy is occurring at high levels.

Political Imagery and the Russia-Germany-America Triangle

“…Forsberg 2016). Although the present government has not switched to prioritizing Russia over an afflicted “transatlantic community,” its policy stance is interposed with ambiguity and ambivalence (Wood and Henke 2018). This is a reminder to avoid a unitary state trap.…”

Polish-Russian relations after 10 April 2010

“…Not only events in Eastern Europe, but also in the West affected relations between Warsaw and Moscow. The poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter (Gioe et al, 2019), which triggered decisive action against Russia not only by Poland (Lekki, 2018), but by many countries of the world (Wood, Henke, 2018) was an important event.…”