Merkel Looks to Future

What exactly was going on at the summit in Wiesbaden? While experts, representatives of social organizations, parliamentarians and politicians spent two days frankly speaking their minds to one another during the annual "St. Petersburg dialogue," there were conciliatory noises and the invocation of common values and partnership at the highest level.

The fact that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin have a good and trusting relationship might speak for their pragmatism -- but it does not tell us anything about whether Russian-German relations are generally good and based on trust. Merkel and Putin worked their way through their agenda in a business-like manner, emphasizing, in a familiar fashion, the themes of business, trade and innovation as the most unproblematic areas, as the "heart" of Russian-German relations.

Controversial issues, such as Iran, Kosovo and the Russia's democratic deficits, remained on the agenda but were skated around. No breakthrough was to be expected in Wiesbaden. Nevertheless, it still seems strange that obvious differences were played down -- or rather ignored -- to such an extent.

The rumors that an assassination attempt was allegedly being planned on Putin in Tehran and the talk about a possible cancellation of his trip to Iran immediately after the Russian-German summit only served to contribute to the confusion. It also demonstrated that this summit was surrounded by an air of ambivalence from a lack of openness. The term "strategic partnership" that Angela Merkel so enjoys using has become hackneyed and devoid of meaning. Putin's repeated assertions that no one has anything to fear from Russia don't ring true.

Anyone who follows the public debates and those of the German and Russian elites, or who takes a look at opinion polls and the media in Russia, gets a completely different picture. Russia's relations to the West appear to be malfunctioning on many different levels. Some people have even been talking about fresh confrontation and a conflict of values and interests. Mutual recriminations, critique and frosty irritation are the name of the game. It is clearly understandable that a German chancellor would not want to add fuel to the fire. And her Russian counterpart is a master at placating and whitewashing.

It is election time in Russia, even if it is difficult to use the word "election" in this case. The beaming victor has been clear for a long time. His name is Vladimir Putin and he will continue to determine the fate of this big country, although it is not yet clear in exactly what function or in what way. But the retention of power is definitely on the agenda, and he won't shy away from getting involved in shady maneuvers to secure it. Putin's renewed emphasis in Wiesbaden upon his allegiance to the constitution is just a matter of lip service.

Putin is set to remain Angela Merkel's discussion partner. That may ultimately be the reason why the chancellor placed so much weight upon finding common ground. After all, they will have to continue working together.

We are left with the message that the foundations are sound and everything else can be sorted out. Or in other words: let's approach this in a more relaxed, less excitable manner. Maybe that is not such a bad idea. It means, at least, that the desire for change in Russia remains on the table.

Cornelia Rabitz heads DW-RADIO's Russian service (jg)