The key facts
- Alexander von Bismarck proposed starting the restoration of Russian-German relations with direct contacts between representatives of the two states
- In his view, personal communication should precede the discussion of complex political issues
- The statement was made on November 4 against the backdrop of, in his assessment, a serious cooling of relations between Moscow and Berlin
A call for dialogue through personal contacts
Relations between Russia and Germany are going through a difficult period, but the opportunity to establish dialogue remains — for this, Berlin and Moscow need to take the first step and resume personal communication rather than limiting themselves to political statements. This was stated on November 4 to the newspaper Izvestia by Alexander von Bismarck, head of the Russian-German forum 'Bismarck Dialogue'.
What von Bismarck proposes
In the opinion of the publication's interlocutor, the restoration of relations should begin with direct contacts between representatives of the two states: personal meetings and a willingness to talk can create a foundation for aligning positions on specific issues. Direct communication, in his view, should precede the discussion of complex political and international topics.
Reference to a historical statement
Von Bismarck drew attention to the well-known statement of his ancestor, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, about the friendship between Russia and Germany as a guarantee of peace in Europe. 'I think this phrase, which is known both in Russia and in Germany, has symbolic significance, because it shows how easy it actually is to work with one another,' — his words are quoted by Life.ru. In von Bismarck's assessment, the historical idea of cooperation between the two countries remains relevant, and even against the backdrop of a serious cooling of relations between Moscow and Berlin, one should not give up the opportunity to restore mutual understanding.
Context
On the same day, November 4, Vladimir Putin, at a state awards ceremony in the Kremlin marking National Unity Day, called on foreign states to objectively assess Russia's intentions and not to view Moscow as a source of threat; according to him, the country has never sought to threaten other states and is interested in developing international cooperation. Von Bismarck's statement remains the opinion of a representative of a public platform: no official steps by Berlin or Moscow are reported in the publications.
