A number of statements by European visitors to the Victory Day celebrations carry particular import, because of their relationship to important historical figures. One was the statement of Pierre de Gaulle, the grandson of French President General Charles de Gaulle, who attended the parade. (Charles de Gaulle had, countered the Cold War narrative, when he called for a “Europe from the Atlantic to the Urals.") “This is a wonderful day and a great joy,” Pierre de Gaulle said. “We celebrate the end of the Second World War together with the Chinese, together with all the former Soviet republics, together with the Russians. This is a celebration for peace, and I hope that we will achieve peace. We all want peace.”
Another comment came from Alexander von Bismarck, the great-grandson of the first Chancellor of the German Empire Otto von Bismarck, who also attended the celebrations. (Otto von Bismarck had kept peace in Europe by maintaining an alliance between Germany and Russia, which successfully prevented British Empire attempts to foment war among the continental powers.). “I think it’s crazy when Brussels says they can’t” negotiate, Alexander von Bismarck said. “Every person from Western Europe can come whenever they want. It doesn’t matter. I invited many Germans to come here, and also to the government. I believe that Germany, especially Germany, could be the best example of how to put diplomacy first, and say, ‘Let’s all sit down at the negotiating table,’” von Bismarck stressed.
