© Sputnik/ Michael Klimentyev
Berlin is ready to restore its relationship with Russia, clearly understanding that it would "create friction" with Washington, which, in turn, will use all its influence over Eastern European states to restrain the rapprochement of the two. But for now, Germany is only "testing the waters" before its final decision, according to Stratfor.
Berlin is "testing the waters before making a decision on the future of Germany's relationship with Russia," according to an article published on the website of an American intelligence agency Stratfor (also known as Strategic Forecasting and widely known as the "shadow CIA") following the meeting between President Putin and German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel in Moscow on Wednesday.
"Germany sent a signal Wednesday that it is rethinking its relationship with Russia, when Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow," the article says.
"Berlin is looking for ways to modify or even lift the current punitive measures against Moscow. However, such a decision would probably create friction between Germany and most Central and Eastern European countries, which means that Berlin is still not ready for a formal change of direction," it adds.
The author then gives his reasons why Russia and Germany might be of some interest to each other.
Comment: Has NATO member Turkey changed its tactics against Russia and Syria and begun concentrating on its own terrorist problems? Maybe a cover for Erdogan to 'clean up' Turkey after his election win?