1. When angela merkel took over as Germany's chancellor in 2005 Western leaders had high hopes that Russia would progress from semi-authoritarian regime to liberal democracy.

take over 接管

It's still far from clear what action the government proposes to take over the affair.

尚不清楚政府打算采取什么行動接手這件事L4dz2sXZ#-。

2. Russia provided 40% of Germany's gas. Germany was about to become Russia's largest trading partner.

be about to 即將

Energy taxes, already high, may be about to rise.

已經很高的能源稅可能會繼續(xù)上漲6&v_bipp]w@6ZvZ。

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