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Why did Germany form an alliance with Austria-Hungary in 1879?

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Map showing the German Empire as it existed from 1871 to 1918, with its borders outlined and regions color-coded. The map highlights the Kingdom of Prussia in green and the full extent of the German Empire in yellow, including regions such as Bavaria, Saxony, Westphalia, and East Prussia. Neighboring countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria-Hungary, and the Russian Empire are also labeled. Major cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are marked. — German Empire The German Empire, 1871–1918.

The German Empire and Austria-Hungary formed the Austro-German Alliance in 1879 primarily as a defensive measure against potential aggression from Russia.123

For the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the alliance served several strategic purposes:

Preventing Isolation: Bismarck sought to ensure that Germany would not be left diplomatically isolated in Europe.1
Preserving Peace: By aligning with the Habsburg monarchy, he aimed to stabilize the region, believing that Russia would be deterred from waging war against two allied empires simultaneously.1
Managing Conflict: Bismarck viewed Austria-Hungary as a fundamental partner and sought to neutralize areas where the Habsburgs might be drawn into conflicts that did not serve German interests, such as tensions in the Balkans.23

For Austria-Hungary, the pact was a response to reasserted interests in the Balkans following the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878, which increased the risk of direct conflict with Russia.23