I guess both, many former East Germans and the now immigrated Russia Germans, have personal links to Russia or at least have some sophisticated knowledge on Russia(ns). Thus not that surprising that Germany is probably the most Russia-friendly/less Russia-hostile country in the West.
Former chancellor Schröder started working for Gazprom mere weeks after retiring from politics and maintains close ties to the Kremlin. Putin was stationed in Dresden and speaks German while Merkel speaks Russian, and their relationship is the closest of a major western leader with Russia. Russia has a history of culturally emulating European nations, chiefly France (like everyone), but also Germany. It also had a history of "importing" German scientists, artists, militarymen, architects, and administrative people. Catherine the Great was born as a Prussian princess. She also invited many Germans to settle on Russian soil. Russia is Germany's top oil importer, and Germany is one of Russia's most important trading partners. Also what TheLastFish wrote. However, the warm feelings are mostly unrequited. Some Germans do have a fascination for Russia but most are rather suspicious, especially in the western part.
It should also be noted that overall, even in the East (former GDR) the cultural influence of Russia is waning in the sense that less and less young people learn Russian and such (as formerly was required during the existence of the GDR.
In the West Russia is seen as particularly suspicious due to ties to the left-wing (majority) to far-left (minority) Left Party and the far-right Alternative for Germany, which are both loathed by large swath of West Germans as authoritarian and extremist and at least in parts anti-democratic and anti-pluralist.
The fact that many politicians from the West, like Schröder from the Social Democrats, are engaged in dubious business affairs with the Russian government certainly does actually even worsen the image of Russia for most West Germans, not improve it.
I can see why a lot of people don't like the far right party in Germany but considering the immigration related problems caused by Merkel's well meaning but impractical approach the Afd's growth should not come as a surprise.
There isn't really any growth though. It managed to activate far-right non-voters that always existed in Germany, but it's potential seems to have reached a limit. The refugee situation is a bit more complicated than "well meaning but impractical". In fact, I would say her approach was the only practical approach at the time.
They may not be strategic allies, but, based on what I've read since the invasion of Ukraine, Germany and Russia have very close economic ties. Even if individual Germans dislike Russia, their government seems to be not very keen on openly opposing Putin and risk losing Russian gas and oil. Hopefully that'll change soon though.
Well, merely because it has been bombed by the US, that doesn't make them auomatically russian allies... Otherwise you should be having like 100 countries in the list.
I don't know about Somalia (they seem to be the enemy of the world) but Iran and North Korea have had friendly relationships with Russia and it has nothing to do with who the US has bombed.
I tried "dprk" and "north korea" like 20 times (and "rok", just to make sure I wasn't going crazy) - surprised it doesn't make the list. Funny enough, the data for 2020 shows an equal number of people saying North Korea and Ukraine are Russian allies.
They have been good since India's independence as at first the Soviets had a very good relationship and Russia is the largest exporter of arms to India. USA ventured into India's EEZ without permission only yesterday.
They've been allies for decades. The Soviet Union saw a benefit in allying with India after their independence and in turn USA allied themselves with Pakistan.
It's not propaganda. You are probably believing the Russian propaganda... which you could have been exposed to on Facebook, YouTube, Fox News, OANN, WikiLeaks... it's all over the place and we have clear documented evidence in most cases of where it originated.
But BBC? BBC is probably the most reliable source out there (except the economist, but that doesn't appeal to the general population).
I am just going to say as somebody who doesn't consider themselves extremely democratic nor extremely republican that you are part of a class of people who I coin as 'deniers', who try to go into comment sections and say that the problems in the polarized and the flawed democracy of the US are worse than the lack of democracy in nations such as Russia, China, North Korea, etc. (which they aren't).
Russia and Germany have way more in common than most people think, especially because of their historical ties. It's a strenuous relationship for sure, but the only "hate" there might be is because of Germany's alignment with the US.
It should also be noted that overall, even in the East (former GDR) the cultural influence of Russia is waning in the sense that less and less young people learn Russian and such (as formerly was required during the existence of the GDR.
In the West Russia is seen as particularly suspicious due to ties to the left-wing (majority) to far-left (minority) Left Party and the far-right Alternative for Germany, which are both loathed by large swath of West Germans as authoritarian and extremist and at least in parts anti-democratic and anti-pluralist.
The fact that many politicians from the West, like Schröder from the Social Democrats, are engaged in dubious business affairs with the Russian government certainly does actually even worsen the image of Russia for most West Germans, not improve it.
o-O
Me: Okay
Russia: Also Azerbaijan and Turkey
Me:
Russia: Also Syria
The US fueled propaganda against this country is getting out of control.
The German and Russian people have much more in common than the governments want to make them believe.
But BBC? BBC is probably the most reliable source out there (except the economist, but that doesn't appeal to the general population).
I am just going to say as somebody who doesn't consider themselves extremely democratic nor extremely republican that you are part of a class of people who I coin as 'deniers', who try to go into comment sections and say that the problems in the polarized and the flawed democracy of the US are worse than the lack of democracy in nations such as Russia, China, North Korea, etc. (which they aren't).