In this 2015 interview Washington Post journalist David Ignatius discusses his view of Germany’s role in the world. The interviewer picks up on the characterization of Germany as a “reluctant hegemon” (The Economist) and asks about its leadership role. Ignatius explains the reasons for the German reluctance to lead both in a European and a global context. He states that a resurgent aggressive nationalism in Russia, Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 as well as claims on Eastern Ukraine have emerged as one of the major challenges for Germany, a country widely perceived as a “symbol of the liberal international order.” He expresses his hope that Chancellor Angela Merkel can play a decisive role in preventing a further escalation of this conflict.