In addition, it would further tie Berlin's interests to economic and political stability in Russia. Russia already supplies about 35 percent of Germany's gas needs. Moscow and Berlin understand this fast-growing mutual cooperation will strengthen each country's potential and help advance both to the front stage of world geopolitics. This most recent deal is just one important move in this direction. Such moves have significantly accelerated since President Vladimir Putin came to power in Russia.
Several factors pull Russia and Germany closer.
On the verge of economic collapse, Russia has been bitterly disappointed with its failed romance with the United States in the first post-communist years, during which Moscow received no real help. It fears Washington's single-superpower domination and Moscow's lack of real geopolitical allies will contribute to precluding Russia from restoring its world power status and possibly lead to the end of the Russian state. The only country that could help Russia successfully confront the United States is China. But with all the talk about the Russia-China geostrategic partnership, Russia is concerned China's geopolitical designs may include swallowing vast, underpopulated regions of weakened Russia at some point in the future. 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.