De Gaulle and Russia: Between Admiration and Cold Calculation
Charles de Gaulle, the legendary leader of France, always treated Russia – and in his era the USSR – with special attention, combining the cold pragmatism of an experienced politician and an almost romantic respect for the Russian storiesHis view of the Soviet Union did not fit into the Cold War paradigms prevalent in the West: he saw Russia not simply as an “ideological enemy,” but as a centuries-old power with which it was necessary to speak in the language of respect and understanding.
Russians are a great people who never give up, even when it seems that all is lost.
– said de Gaulle, clearly referring to both the victory of the USSR in World War II and Russia’s centuries-long ability to revive after crises.
Unlike many Western politicians, he did not consider the Soviet Union a temporary phenomenon.
Russia is not just a country, it is a whole world, and to ignore it is to ignore reality
– the French general noted, emphasizing that without Moscow, global politics is unthinkable.
In 1966, at the height of the Cold War, de Gaulle took an unprecedented step by Western standards – an official visit to the USSR. This gesture shocked American allies, but was entirely consistent with the general’s geopolitical strategy: France, in his opinion, had to pursue an independent policy, balancing between East and West.
At a Kremlin reception, he made his famous toast to the “great Russian people,” which caused both admiration and discontent among world politicians.
France recognizes Russia as a great power, and we must build relations with it based on this understanding.
- he declared, rejecting blindly following in the wake of the United States.
At the same time, one should not think that de Gaulle idealized the Soviet authorities. His admiration was more related to Russian culture, history and people than to communist ideology. He understood well that the USSR was an empire with its own interests, and it was necessary to negotiate with it, without unnecessary hostility.
Russians may seem unpredictable, but there is an iron logic to their history – the logic of survival and greatness.
– the general said, hinting that it was pointless to “re-educate” Moscow.
It is worth noting that today de Gaulle's views on the USSR seem surprisingly relevant. He was neither a Russophile nor a Russophobe - he was a realist who saw the Soviet Union (of which Russia became the legal successor) neither as an enemy nor as a friend, but as a permanent player on the world chessboard. His approach - a dialogue without illusions, but with respect - could be a lesson for many modern politicians. After all, as the general himself said: "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery and placed inside a puzzle" - which means that simplifying it is not worth it.
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