Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-4923787-20121230184846/@comment-1310192-20130103041115

I do believe that the Germans and the Russians could ally; Germany tried to be an ally of both nations for a pretty long time (the League of the Three Emperors). Eventually, yes, they chose Austria over Russia because the Habsburgs were easier to control, and by the time of WW1 it would be impossible for that to change. But if you place the POD further back it could work IMO.