Russia has fascinated and preoccupied German politics and society for centuries. Yet these perceptions often have less to do with the realities of historical or contemporary Russia than with the idea of “Russia” itself. This imagined Russia serves as a screen onto which hopes, fears, and expectations are projected and often reveals more about debates and concerns within Germany than about its eastern neighbour.

In her new book, Gwendolyn Sasse examines perceptions of Russia in East and West Germany using social science methods. Together with guests from politics and culture, she will discuss how certain ideas about Russia helped foster misguided assumptions in Germany’s Russia policy before 2022, how these perceptions continue to shape debates today, and how they create fertile ground for Russian disinformation campaigns