Trump trade policies bringing Germany, Russia closer; Merkel to meet Putin

Rapprochement with Russia is now a core policy objective in Berlin, the shift in sentiment is a consequence of the actions of the US president who is straining the long-standing alliance with Europe

As Donald Trump shakes up the global order, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is being pushed closer toward a more predictable partner in Moscow.

When President Vladimir Putin hosts Merkel in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Friday, he’s likely to notice a change in tone from a tense meeting a year ago when the two leaders clashed over Ukraine and Russian election meddling. Now they’re in the same corner trying to shield businesses from US sanctions, defend the Iran nuclear accord ditched by Trump and rebuffing American objections to a new gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany.

Rapprochement with Russia