From Czech Republic to Kyrgyzstan, German vs Russian

For centuries, from the Czech Republic to Kyrgyzstan two powers have sought the absolute supremacy in the region. Two languages have tried to impose in this immense space.

These languages are Russian and German. Since German unification, Germany command her citizens to countries of Eastern Europe, but also to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan (Volga Germans) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_Germans
Today, most Germans who populated eastern Europe and central asia returned to Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of FRG and the GDR.

In times of the USSR, the Russian comrades sent settlers to the Baltic countries, Ukraine, Belarus and especially central asia. Most of them are still living in these countries (20% of Ukrainians are ethnic Russians for example)

Today is studied more German in Eastern Europe that serves as a lingua franca and Russian remains more important in central asia. But it seems that the German study is imposed in general.

Who will win this battle in the twenty-first century?

write their views........

Learn both lenguages it's that easy.

A person who speaks French, Spanish, German, Russian and English will be able to communicate with a lot of people worldwide.

German and Russian are a bit tough to learn if we compare them with easy to learn lenguages such as Spanish or English but after achieving a working knowledge or becoming fluent in both, it will give you a great add value and that will open many doors.

Hmmm...It is a good question. Both countries are powerful. So, here is draw.

When the economy is not the most important point, the second one is in theory, the easier languages for Eastern Europeans. Here the winner is Russian. It is easier in Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovakia, etc.

The third point is the language they like, if they prefer German or Russian people, culture, music, etc.. For example, Polish, Ukrainian, Czech people hate Russian and German people a lot. So, here is also draw...

The winner is, perhaps, Russian, but I am not sure.

I agree that if you speak French, Spanish, German, Russian and English you will be able to communicate with a lot of people. This covers most of Europe and a lot of the new World. After that, maybe Mandarin will be best.

Josef Mengele. What a creepy name!

What a ridiculous question? How could German come near Russian in this region?

My understanding is that German is actually pretty useful in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.