Russian ambassador says Germans favour renewed dialogue with Russia

Russia’s ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev, told RIA Novosti in an interview published on October 9 that, in his assessment, most Germans support normalising relations with Russia. He linked this to a desire to end confrontation and restore cooperation.

The diplomat said renewed constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial ties would serve Germany’s national interests. He also said Russia had no problems with the German people. The interview did not provide a poll underpinning his assessment of majority public opinion.

Nechayev contrasted his view of public sentiment with German government policy following its declaration of a turning point. He accused Berlin of pursuing the destruction of Russian-German ties. That characterisation represents the Russian ambassador’s assessment of Germany’s policy.

RIA Novosti also cited Vladimir Putin’s earlier position on rising NATO military budgets. The Russian president considers them a driver of global militarisation and an arms race, and describes statements about a Russian threat as a pretext for increasing expenditure.