Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, has died. He was 91 years old at the time of his death.
Russian news agencies reported this information on Tuesday, citing doctors.
Gorbachev died Tuesday night in a Moscow hospital, according to Tas and RIA Novosti news agencies. He was suffering from illness for a long time. He will be buried next to his wife Raisa at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
World leaders reacted differently to Gorbachev’s death. It is mentioned below-
Secretary General of the United Nations
“With the loss of Mikhail Gorbachev, a statesman who changed history, the world has lost a powerful world leader, a multilateralist and a tireless fighter for peace,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
US President Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden mourned Gorbachev’s death, saying, “Mikhail Gorbachev was a man of extraordinary vision… As leader of the Soviet Union, he worked with former US President Ronald Reagan to reduce our two countries’ nuclear arsenals. After decades of brutal political repression (of the Soviet Union), he ushered in a democratic path.
“His reforms brought a safer world and greater freedom to millions.”
“These were the actions of a rare leader — one who envisioned a different kind of future, one who had the courage to risk his entire career to achieve it,” Biden said.
“Gorbachev remained ‘deeply involved’ with the Kremlin even after leaving it. People everywhere have benefited from the ‘faith of the developed world’ that Gorbachev had in his eyes.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
“As the supreme leader of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev played an important role in overcoming the post-World War II divide in Europe and Europe’s East-West conflict,” the Japanese prime minister said.
“He leaves a great legacy as a world leader in support of nuclear disarmament.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed deep grief over the death of Mikhail Gorbachev. On Thursday, he will telegraph condolences to Gorbachev’s family and relatives. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian news agency Intafax.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Mourning Gorbachev’s death, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “I will always admire his courage and honesty in ending the war of nerves in a peaceful way.” His tireless efforts to keep Soviet society free during Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is an example to us all.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen said, “Mikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader. He was instrumental in ending the Cold War and bringing down the wall between Eastern and Western Europe. It paved the way for an open Europe… we will not forget that.”
Former US Secretary of State James Baker
History will remember Mikhail Gorbachev as a great man who led his great nation to democracy.
“Brought a peaceful end to the Cold War by his decision against the use of force to maintain the Soviet empire…he is greatly missed by the free world.”
Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
“I am saddened to hear of the death of Mikhail Gorbachev. He was a man who tried to give a better life to his people. His life was very important, because without him the peaceful end of the Cold War would not have been possible.”
Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
He commented, ‘Gorbachev was a good friend; Surprising as it may seem… he was a very gentle man.’
“His vision for the future of the country was great, which is now being run in reverse. History will remember him as a great reformer.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid tribute to Mikhail Gorbachev on his death.
He praised Gorbachev’s reformist courage as the leader of the former Soviet Union on Twitter, the BBC reported.
“When someone at the top of an organization looks at everything and says, ‘This isn’t working for people anymore, somebody’s got to fix it. Who if not me? If not now, when?” Think of the wisdom and courage to say these things.
“That’s exactly what he did in the old Soviet Union. He will always be remembered as a hero. He is now history.”
(31 Aug)