Being a part of European civilization and always yearning for recognition in Europe, the majority of Russia's elite and the current Russian government in particular have been reluctant to turn east in their search for allies. They still see Europe as the most desirable place to be. Russia desperately needs large-scale foreign direct investments. As for the United States, Moscow believes Washington will continue to insist Russia makes one concession after another until it becomes fully subjugated to the United States. But Germany seems to be both able and willing to support Russia's revival, while not demanding humiliating concessions.
Berlin sees a close partnership with Moscow as a future geopolitical benefit.
First, for its own further growth, Germany needs Russia's enormous natural resources, the last in the world to remain largely untapped. By giving Russia economic and political aid, Germany makes sure these resources will flow to its territory from a stable, German-friendly Russian government, such as that of Vladimir Putin, who speaks German. Second, a stable, Germany-backed Russia would provide the cheapest, fastest and safest transportation corridor for shipping goods and resources between Germany and the rest of Europe and the world's most dynamic economies in the Asia Pacific. Third, Germany feels building a secure, united Europe would be impossible if Russia were left without support, destabilized and hostile. German strategists realize a weakened and abandoned Moscow might feel threatened enough to take on prosperous Europe as a desperate measure if it senses Russia's final collapse.