Russia was more deeply embedded in German politics than suspected

congress in early October Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor, declared that he “always” knew Russia would use its energy resources as a weapon. But in 2016, when he was vice-chancellor and his Social Democrats were the junior partner in a coalition led by Angela Merkel, Mr Scholz said it was simply “not correct” to suggest that Nord Stream 2, a second gas pipeline across the Baltic Sea, might make Germany too dependent on Russia. The chancellor’s memory may be faulty, but since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February his government has radically decoupled Germany from Russian energy supplies, even as it has showered diplomatic, financial and military support on Ukraine. And there is no evidence that Mr Scholz was ever an ardent —an apologist for Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president. Alas, all too many other prominent German politicians, businessmen, academics and even sports stars did indeed act as shills for Mr Putin. Hinting at the depth of Russian penetration, it was revealed on October 17th that Arne Schönbohm, the head of Germany’s cyber-security agency, is being investigated over suspicions of links to Russian intelligence.