Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
by Elena Chinkova
[REGNUM] The German aristocrat and politician Alexander von Bismarck, who does not hide his sympathy for Russia, told the Regnum news agency how he sees the negotiation process on Ukraine and what role the European Union has in it.
And also about why he covered a destroyed Russian tank in Berlin with thousands of roses.
When Russia Turned into a Bear
— Alexander, in April it was 210 years since the birth of your great ancestor, the first Chancellor of the German Empire, Otto von Bismarck. He knew Russia and our people well. And, in particular, he said the following about us: “Russians are slow to harness, but they ride quickly.” What would he do in the current situation, when we have harnessed and are riding quickly?
- He wrote many times that Germany and Russia should be friends. Russians do not think about tomorrow, but much further, about the future.
"The secret pillar of our policy must be maintaining good relations with Russia. An alliance against Russia could be a great folly that would lead Germany to a dangerous point," the chancellor noted.
In an alliance against Russia, Germany will always lose. Russians are very friendly, but if you try to pin them down, they turn into a bear.
— Do any German politicians understand this today?
- In essence, no.
— Just you?
- And Gerhard Schroeder. He knew how to talk to Russians and drink. And that's important in negotiations too. But he was thrown out of everything. It's crazy.
Macron has no Soldiers for Ukraine
— What can we expect from the future Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz?
- Nothing. These authorities don't know what they want. They don't understand what's going on, they don't understand the scale of BRICS, and they don't talk to anyone.
— How can one explain the reluctance of key European countries to join the negotiation process? After all, Europe is seriously suffering from what is happening.
- They know they are wrong. But there is no government that can admit it: we have made many mistakes and so on. So far only Hungary and Slovakia are telling the EU that this is not our way. Well, perhaps Italy too now.
— Macron, who is eager to send troops to Ukraine, imagines himself to be Napoleon?
— France doesn't have soldiers for this. It's just "blah-blah-blah." And the current verdict on the presidential campaign favorite Marine Le Pen, which puts an end to her participation in the elections, is absolute madness.
— How do you assess the negotiations between Russia and the USA?
— Two strong personalities have come together. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have different ways of thinking, but they make real policy and discuss, to put it simply, like this: we do it this way, you get this and I get that. Trump is, first and foremost, a businessman, and Putin is guided by the historical and national interests of the country.
— Is it possible to achieve results without Europe?
- Of course! Europe will sit in the corner and accept any decision made by Russia and the US. Europe had three years to negotiate, but it did not want to talk to Russia. And now the Americans are doing it.
— And what role do you assign to China here?
— 80% of goods in Europe are from China. I see that Moscow is already full of Chinese cars. As for politics, the Chinese working in Berlin told me: we need good relations with Russia, the Russians are very clear, they say what they think, they do business openly.
I have appealed to our business and political circles: let's talk together! I have spoken to military attachés of China, Russia and Belarus and heard from them: they do not want to talk to us. And I am very sorry that they behave this way.
Two Thousand Roses on a Russian Tank
— In February 2023, Ukrainian activists placed a disabled Russian T-72 tank near the Russian embassy in Berlin, pointing its barrel at the diplomatic mission. And in response, you organized a touching action — you showered the tank with two thousand roses. Did you suffer greatly for your sympathy for Russia?
— In the media, yes. For several weeks in a row, I was accused of Putin's propaganda. But otherwise, no — I am a free businessman. Sometimes my friends tell me about another publication: "Alex, have you read this?!" I answer: "Yes, but I have already forgotten!"
If no one says anything, we will find ourselves in a situation that no one really wants. Many ordinary people are already declaring the need to normalize relations with Russia and are taking to the streets for peaceful demonstrations.
My good friend from the European Parliament, also a representative of an aristocratic family, Michael von der Schulenburg, has long-standing friendly ties with Russia, as does my family. In my opinion, he would be a suitable candidate from Germany to conduct a dialogue with Russia.
— When do you expect the conflict to end?
— When Putin and Trump say: “We need a week or two,” when they have a single and clear understanding of the settlement, then it will be over. And Ukraine and Europe will have nothing to say. I think that negotiations are ongoing every day, and it will happen very soon. I would like it to happen by May 9. And Donald Trump and Xi Jinping would be present at the Victory Parade in Moscow.
Alexander von Bismarck was born in 1951 in Reinbek (FRG). He has a law and economics education. In 1972–2017, he was a member of the Christian Democratic Union. Businessman, public figure, founder of the Russian-German public project "Bismarck Dialogue". He is married to the Russian violist Irina von Bismarck and has a son.
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