Chapter 6 reviews the economic relationship between Germany and Russia and demonstrates that even before EU sanctions in 2014, it was under-developed and far less important to German business than commonly assumed. It explains how the gas relationship has changed significantly in recent years because of the EU’s success in forcing Gazprom to adapt to its regulatory framework. This was a major irritant in the EU’s relations with Russia and contributed to the breakdown of relations over Ukraine. For all Germany’s rhetoric about increased trade helping to promote good governance in Russia, in some cases major German businesses engaged in systematic corruption in Russia. Such double standards have been a gift to Russia’s leaders, reinforcing their view that western values are not for real and that German business is prepared to compromise them if the price is right. Beyond the gas relationship that is set to decline over time, the false notion that the Russian market is a major destination for German exports strongly influences views of how to manage relations with Moscow.