Cold War negotiator and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has passed away at the age of 91.
When Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union in 1985, he instituted a number of reforms at home and a gradual opening to the outside world.
He tried his best to stop the Soviet Union from disintegrating, but it eventually fell apart, giving rise to contemporary Russia.
Worldwide tributes have been given, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stating he “altered the course of history.
Those who cared for him in the Moscow hospital where he passed away stated he had been sick for a very long time.
His health has been deteriorating over the past few years, and he has spent a lot of time in hospitals. His cause of death has not been disclosed, but it was reported in June that he was hospitalized due to a kidney condition.
According to Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences to the Gorbachev family after hearing of Mr. Gorbachev’s passing.
Amid the Cold War tensions, US Vice President Joe Biden commended Mr. Gorbachev as a remarkable leader and a unique politician who had the “imagination to envision that a better future was possible.”
His legacy will be one of “trusted and recognized leadership” who “paved the path for a free Europe,” as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put it. We shall never forget this heritage,” she continued.
