Despite Germany's efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine, its economy and political system remain susceptible to the Kremlin's influence through extensive informal networks. This analysis identifies mechanisms such as economic dependencies, elite capture, and governance gaps that Russia employs to exert significant political influence in Germany.

Through a comprehensive network analysis and four in-depth case studies, the assessment demonstrates how Russia employs strategic enablers to secure political influence and weaken institutional resilience. It also highlights the ongoing export of dual-use goods from German businesses to Russia and the indirect import of Russian LNG and oil products. Additionally, the assessment provides a robust set of measures to dismantle these networks, enforce sanctions, strengthen democratic institutions, and safeguard the EU's strategic autonomy.