Moscow [Russia] August 31 (ANI): Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who ended the Cold War but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, died on Tuesday at the age of 91, according to the Russian news agency. Sputnik News Agency citing the hospital stated that he died after a serious and long illness. “Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev died this evening after a serious and long illness,” the agency citing the Central Clinical Hospital said on Tuesday.
Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the United Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He was a young and dynamic soviet leader who wanted to reform the communist regime along the lines of democratic principles by giving some freedom to citizens. When pro-democracy protests swept across the Soviet Union of communist Eastern Europe in 1989, Gorbachev refrained from using force.
He recognized the policy of Glasnost or freedom of speech which was severely curtailed during earlier regime. Gorbachev also began a program of economic reform called Perestroika or Restructuring which was necessary as the Soviet economy was suffering from both hidden inflation and supply shortages. Cultural freedoms were granted to the press and the artistic community during his time.
He launched radical reforms meant to reduce party control of the government apparatus. Notably, thousands of political prisoners and their dissidents were released during his rule. He is accredited with the success of the nuclear disarmament agreement with the United States of America which won him Nobel Peace Prize.
Gorbachev’s first five years in power were marked by significant accomplishments, as per The New York Times. He presided over an arms agreement with the United States that eliminated for the first time an entire class of nuclear weapons, and began the withdrawal of most Soviet tactical nuclear weapons from Eastern Europe.
He withdrew Soviet forces from Afghanistan, a tacit admission that the invasion in 1979 and the nine-year occupation had been a failure, as per the US media outlet. (ANI)
Putin condoles demise of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev
Moscow [Russia] August 31 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences over the demise of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He added that the President will send a telegram to the family and friends of the former Soviet leader in the morning, Sputnik News Agency reported. “President Putin expresses deep condolences over the death of Mikhail Gorbachev . In the morning he will send a telegram of condolences to his family and friends,” Peskov said.
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is saddened to hear of Gorbachev’s death, adding that he always admired Gorbachev’s courage and integrity. “I’m saddened to hear of the death of Gorbachev. I always admired the courage & integrity he showed in bringing the Cold War to a peaceful conclusion. In a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his tireless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to us all,” Johnson tweeted. Gorbachev died on Tuesday evening at 91 after a long illness.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Gorbachev, who died on Tuesday evening, was a respected leader who opened the way for a free Europe. “Mikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader. He played a crucial role to end the Cold War and bring down the Iron Curtain . It opened the way for a free Europe. This legacy is one we will not forget,” von der Leyen tweeted.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement said that the former Soviet President had done more than other people for a peaceful end of the Cold War. “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev, a one-of-a kind statesman who changed the course of history. He did more than any other individual to bring about the peaceful end of the Cold War,” Guterres said in the statement. “On behalf of the United Nations, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mikhail Gorbachev’s family and to the people and government of the Russian Federation,” he said.
Sputnik News Agency citing the hospital stated that he died after a serious and long illness. “Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev died this evening after a serious and long illness,” the agency citing the Central Clinical Hospital said on Tuesday.
Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the United Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He was a young and dynamic soviet leader who wanted to reform the communist regime along the lines of democratic principles by giving some freedom to citizens. (ANI)
Arnold Schwarzenegger recalls meeting former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev
Moscow [Russia] August 31 (ANI): After learning about the demise of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid a heartfelt tribute to him. Taking to Instagram, Arnold wrote, “There’s an old saying, ‘Never meet your heroes.’ I think that’s some of the worst advice I’ve ever heard. Mikhail Gorbachev was one of my heroes, and it was an honor and a joy to meet him. I was unbelievably lucky to call him a friend. All of us can learn from his fantastic life.”
Arnold stated that Mikhail Gorbachev “will be remembered for all time as a hero who dismantled the communist system despite what it meant for his own power.” “Imagine rising to the very top of any organization, and then having the wisdom AND the courage to look around and say, ‘This doesn’t work for the people, someone has to fix it. If not me, who? If not now, when?’ Mikhail Gorbachev did exactly that in the old Soviet Union. He will be remembered for all time as a hero who dismantled the communist system despite what it meant for his own power. He belongs to history now, and I know he’s overjoyed to be reunited with his dear Raisa, once again living one of the greatest love stories of all time,” Arnold, the former Governor of California, posted. He also dropped a picture from his meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev.
Mikhail Gorbachev, who ended the Cold War but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, died on Tuesday at the age of 91, according to the Russian news agency. Sputnik News Agency citing the hospital stated that he died after a serious and long illness. “Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev died this evening after a serious and long illness,” the agency citing the Central Clinical Hospital said on Tuesday.
Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the United Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). He was a young and dynamic soviet leader who wanted to reform the communist regime along the lines of democratic principles by giving some freedom to citizens. When pro-democracy protests swept across the Soviet Union of communist Eastern Europe in 1989, Gorbachev refrained from using force.
He recognized the policy of Glasnost or freedom of speech which was severely curtailed during earlier regime. Gorbachev also began a program of economic reform called Perestroika or Restructuring which was necessary as the Soviet economy was suffering from both hidden inflation and supply shortages. Cultural freedoms were granted to the press and the artistic community during his time.
He launched radical reforms meant to reduce party control of the government apparatus. Notably, thousands of political prisoners and their dissidents were released during his rule. He is accredited with the success of the nuclear disarmament agreement with the United States of America which won him Nobel Peace Prize. (ANI)
