On Germany's failure. By long time reporter/watcher. It is worse than you thought.

[Mark Kohut]

The Federal Republic prides itself on being a model of liberty, democracy
and the rule of law. It has done much to redeem itself for the Holocaust
and other crimes against humanity. But in the course of its dysfunctional
love affair with Russia, Germany has allowed itself to become hostage to
the world’s most dangerous dictatorship.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/04/24/arrogant-incompetent-corrupt-war-shattering-delusions-german/