MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Expecting the current French ruling circles to display a level of thinking worthy of former French President Charles de Gaulle is naive, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.

During a briefing, Zakharova read a quote from de Gaulle: "As for our common goals, they are d·tente, harmony, security, and one day - the unification of Europe from one end to the other, balance, and peace throughout the world."

"De Gaulle's ideas, relevant in his day, are in many ways consonant with the initiatives put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the modern realities of a multipolar world and at a qualitatively new level, for forming a Greater Eurasian Partnership and creating a Eurasian security architecture. Let me remind you, both are open to the participation of all Eurasian countries and associations, including its westernmost European region. It goes without saying how far today's French diplomacy, if one can still call it that, has departed from the principles of Gaullism," she noted. "While paying lip service to the first head of the Fifth Republic, France's current ruling circles have long since discarded his political legacy. They have joined forces with those who not only refuse to hear anything about Russia's right to pursue its own security interests, but also aim to inflict what they call a strategic defeat on our country. However, it would probably be naive to expect the investment banker who currently leads the French Republic to display the same level of statesmanship as Charles de Gaulle," she emphasized.

Zakharova recalled that in 1966, de Gaulle, in preparation for his visit to the Soviet Union, read books on Russian history, carefully studied his route, and even wrote speeches, some of them in Russian, in advance.

"Expecting such a profound approach from a temporary leader is impossible. We can only advise these temporary leaders not to forget the prophetic words of their own great compatriot, General de Gaulle, who said that for France to be united with Russia means to be strong, and to be separated from Russia means to expose itself to danger. We will cherish the memory of Charles de Gaulle, a truly great politician who was able to pursue an independent and self-sufficient foreign policy worthy of France," Zakharova added.

Charles de Gaulle and his relations with the Soviet Union

Charles de Gaulle was a distinguished French military leader, statesman, and the architect of the Fifth Republic, serving as its first president from 1959 to 1969. His influence shaped modern France in profound ways.

In 1944, de Gaulle assumed leadership of the provisional government of France during a pivotal moment in history. That same year, he travelled to the USSR to negotiate with Joseph Stalin and sign the Treaty of Alliance and Military Assistance. Through his efforts, France emerged victorious from World War II, securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council and establishing its own occupation zone in Germany. However, by January 1946, disagreements with the parliamentary-dominated government compelled de Gaulle to resign.

In 1948, advocating for a strong executive branch, de Gaulle founded the Rally of the French People (Rassemblement du Peuple Francais). The party aimed to amend the 1946 Constitution of the Fourth Republic, which had created a parliamentary system with limited presidential powers. Despite its efforts, the party failed to achieve constitutional change and was dissolved in 1953.

The political instability of the late 1950s, exacerbated by the conflict in Algeria, led to a crisis that culminated in 1958. French President Rene Coty, facing mounting unrest, called upon de Gaulle to lead the government. With de Gaulle at the helm, a new Constitution was drafted, significantly strengthening the presidency and reducing parliamentary authority - marking the birth of the Fifth Republic. In December 1958, de Gaulle was elected president and re-elected in 1965.

During his presidency, de Gaulle made bold moves on the international stage. In 1966, France withdrew from NATO's military command structure, a decision it reversed in 2009. That same year, he visited the Soviet Union and emphasized the importance of Franco-Russian relations, stating: "For centuries, the Franco-Russian alliance has unfortunately been too often hampered by misunderstandings or intrigues. However, the need for this alliance arises again at every turn of history. When Russia and France are together, they are strong."

De Gaulle was also a visionary advocate for European integration. He was among the first to promote the idea of a united Europe stretching from the Atlantic to the Ural Mountains, emphasizing the importance of European unity and independence.