Indeed. No one has yet found a way to hack paper over the internet. Until that happens, Germany should be fine.

Baerbock, for all her good deeds and intentions, is sadly very bad at phrasing her opinions. Even during her elections, it was easy for her opponents to use what she said against her. It's part of what lost her the election advantage.

She needs some PR training with people versed in political speech and diplomacy. It's clear that she didn't mean "we're in an armed conflict", but it's just too easy to turn her words into whatever others want it to mean.

On the other hand, it's refreshing to have someone in politics who speaks her mind without being an extremist nutjob.

Both countries are in a difficult spot. They have plenty of resources, but they're essentially land-locked, so exporting those resources is very difficult.

It would make sense that they're looking for neighbours to export through and for those the only one's with sea access for large scale global exports are Russia, China and (via the caspian sea) Iran. Not exactly the best partners to have.

The closest Chinese sea port is around 3000km from their border. The closest Russian sea port is less than 1000km away.

They have the choice of not exporting and staying poor or making a deal with one of the devils around them.

If you need natural gas, there aren't too many options around.

US and Canada have fairly expensive natural gas. Russia is off-limits. Norway can't supply the entire EU on their own.

At least Qatar won't invade their neighbours any time soon.

The trade deal explicitly mentions that Germany will reduce the imports during the (IIRC 15 year) contractual period to meet ecological goals, so it's already just a temporary supplier.