It sort of makes sense - until 2008 (invasion of Georgia). Or at least 2014 (first invasion of Ukraine).
Top German politicians were/are tied closely to Russian interests. Like former Bundeskanzler (chancellor) Gerhard Schröder, who still to this day refuses to distance himself from Putin/Russia. He was literally paid by Putin-controlled entities to lobby Russian interests in Germany/Europe.
The amount of money that flowed from Russia to Germany in corruption and sweet-heart deals is staggering - and I am sure much more will be revealed in the coming years, of what really went on behind the scenes.