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Alexander von Bismarck, a descendant of Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of the German Empire, said in an interview with TASS that Europe and Russia will not go to war, but warned that threats directed at Moscow could significantly increase the danger of nuclear war. He also criticized the European Union's approach to policy, called for grassroots dialogue between Russians and Germans, and argued that NATO is no longer needed.
Coverage of the Interview
TASS, the Russian state news agency, published three separate articles based on the interview with Alexander von Bismarck, founder of the Russian-German public project Bismarck Dialogue. The reports covered his views on EU policy, the possibility of conflict, NATO's relevance, and Germany's military ambitions.
Key Claims
No War, But Danger of Nuclear Threats
When asked whether Europe and Russia could go to war, von Bismarck told TASS, "That will not happen." However, he cautioned that the language used by political leaders is being "armed." He said, "Political leaders think that they can threaten Russia, and Russia will yield. But they do not understand the mindset of Russians, because Russia cannot lose." He added, "The danger of nuclear war may become quite significant," and noted that this is something "we all do not want."
Von Bismarck pointed to political initiatives in Germany, specifically naming the BSW party and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which he said "precisely do not want this." He contrasted these parties with the political mainstream, which he claimed says, "We need to bring Russia to its knees," while "ordinary people no longer believe this."
Criticism of EU Policy
In a separate part of the interview, von Bismarck described the European Union's policy as being implemented "from the top down," based on the principle "we are the greatest, so we know best." He said this results in "a kind of preaching" rather than real politics. He stated that those in power in the EU are "in reality, not elites but 'losers'" who lack a genuine base of voters and have low approval ratings.
Von Bismarck emphasized the difference between Europe and the EU, saying the policy is specific to the EU. He called for "real, effective policy that acknowledges what's happening right now" and argued that dialogue would then be much easier.
Need for Personal Dialogue
To promote better relations between Russia and Germany, von Bismarck suggested that people outside the political elite, such as those from business, culture, and sports, should maintain connections and talk to each other. "It's so simple - people just need to talk to one another, one-on-one," he said, adding that "they aren't enemies; they're friends and can speak as equals, rather than from a position of superiority."
He mentioned the Bismarck Dialogue, the project he founded, saying it provides a venue where "Russians and Germans can come together and speak honestly, as equals." He stressed that this effort is aimed at conveying his message to both sides.
NATO's Relevance and German Military Ambitions
Von Bismarck also expressed the view that NATO is no longer needed. "I personally believe, as do many in Germany, that we no longer need NATO," he told TASS. He argued that the Warsaw Pact no longer exists, and that during the Cold War a counterbalance might have been necessary, but "today, such a military alliance is no longer needed." He asked, "Against whom? Then we need an enemy, but we would not want to have one."
He noted that many young people in Germany oppose the return of compulsory military service. "The youth in Germany say, we also do not want the return of compulsory military service," he said. He argued that volunteer service should be sufficient for national security. He also warned about the economic burden of armaments: "The money that is invested in armaments will be paid for by our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they will not be able to pay it off." He drew a parallel with the US debt, saying many young people in Germany see this and say, "We do not need this; we need disarmament rather than armament."
Von Bismarck commented on the ambitions of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, saying they "want Germany to have the largest army again." He said this is difficult for people in Germany to imagine and suggested that such a move would not please Poland, France, or the United Kingdom. While acknowledging that Germany must ensure its defense capability, he concluded, "In other countries, our soldiers have absolutely nothing to do."