NATO exists to keep Germany down, and Russia out. The Germans are not oblivious to this fact, so it didn't really come as a surprise when it happened. That's

NATO exists to keep Germany down, and Russia out. The Germans are not oblivious to this fact, so it didn't really come as a surprise when it happened. That's not to say they didn't care of course, as you point out. The only ones surprised were the ones that actually believe alliances are friendships.