[ozzymandus]

Germany and Russia have had military ties since Katherine the Great. Where do you think Russian soldiers learned to goose step?

[jb6]

Which Germany? Austria, Prussia, Bavaria? Or the two dozen mini-states. Yes, when Catherine died, Russian soldiers had just conquered Berlin (west of Berlin-Potsdam is a historic village that was built for invalid Russian soldiers). Fortunately for Fredrick the Great--who at that point wasn't very-- her successor and son, Paul hated her so much and idolized Fredrick that he gave everything back to him and switched alliances against Austria. That was one of the things that led to his assassination and to his son, Alexander I attaining the throne.