Russia: The former Soviet leader , Mikhail Gorbachev , the man who peacefully ended the Cold war has died at 91. The Russian leader died at a central hospital in Moscow after a serious and prolonged illness.
Mr Gorbachev came to power in 1985 and introduced various reforms as well as opened the Soviet Union to the world.It were his reforms that led to the country to transform and freedom of Eastern Europe from Soviet rule. However, Russians blame him for triggering the the collapse of the Soviet Union and ending the country’s role as a superstar.
While being in power between 1985-1991, he had worked towards building cordial US-Soviet relations and was the last surviving Cold War leader, making him one of the most influential leaders of his time.
The changes he brought made him prominent in the west. Mikhail won Noble Peace Prize in 1990.
He spent much of his life in the political upfront. He resorted the issues between Kremlin and the White House as the tensions rose when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. He launched an offensive in Ukraine in February.
The respects and condolences for the departed have been pouring in since his demise.
Gorbachev and Putin haven’t been on really great terms with each other. However, Putin expressed his ‘deep sympathies’ on his death.
The French President Emmanuel Macron paid his respects as he called him a ‘man of peace’ whose choices paved a path of liberty for the Russians. His commitment to peace in Europe changed our shared history.
UN chief Antonio Guterres praised him calling him “a one-of-a-kind statesman who changed the course of history” and did everything possible to put a peaceful end to the cold war.
The British Prime Minister expressed his admiration towards his courage and integrity towards peaceful end to the cold war.
