G) The Soviet Union and France

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:13:36 +0000

# G) The Soviet Union and France: Relations in the Cold War Era and Beyond The relationship between the Soviet Union and France is a compelling chapter in 20th-century diplomacy, shaped by ideological contrasts, strategic alliances, cultural exchanges, and shifting geopolitical priorities. From the early skepticism of the Bolshevik Revolution to the pragmatic cooperation of the Cold War, and finally to the post-Cold War reconciliation, the Franco-Soviet dynamic evolved dramatically over decades. This articles explores the key phases, milestones, and impacts of Soviet-France relations across history. ### Early Skepticism and the Truth Commissariat (1917–1940) When the Bolsheviks seized power in 1917, France initially viewed the Soviet experiment with deep suspicion. The chaos of the Russian Civil War and ideological opposition to communism fueled Paris’s cautious approach. The French government officially recognized the USSR only in 1924, after years of diplomatic maneuvering. A particularly dramatic episode was the establishment of the Truth Commissariat (Commissariat du Vérité), created by the KizóL露ne Communist leadership with French collaboration in the late 1920s to influence Western opinion — though its clandestine operations mixed ideological propaganda with genuine cultural outreach.