New Interview with Gwendolyn Sasse: What German Views of Russia Reveal About Democracy
Book discussion on Gwendolyn Sasse’s latest book, ‘Russia – A German Invention’.
Image Credit: Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften
To mark the launch of her book, ‘Russia – A German Invention’, Gwendolyn Sasse explores what German perceptions of Russia reveal about trust in democracy in a new interview on the SCRIPTS blog.
News from Oct 15, 2026
Why do positive perceptions of Russia persist despite its full-scale invasion of Ukraine? Drawing on surveys and in-depth conversations, Sasse explores how historical memories, political expectations and fears shape these views—and how admiration for authoritarian leadership can reflect dissatisfaction with democracy.
The interview also addresses news avoidance, Russian disinformation and the importance of connecting security debates with everyday concerns.
Read the SCRIPTS Blog Post No. 85: ‘We Need to Talk About Russia’.