The last leader of the Soviet Union passed away after a long illness.
Tributes are pouring in for politician Mikhail Gorbachev following his death.
The last leader of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev passed away at the age of 91 on Tuesday (30 August) after a long illness.
Considered as being one of the most significant politicians of the second half of the 20th century, he was also a divisive figure.
He has been widely praised outside of Russia for his role in ending the Cold War and introducing new political and economic freedoms in the Soviet Union.
That said, the politician was criticised in Russia and other former Soviet states for accelerating the Soviet dissolution.
Among the world leaders to pay tribute to Gorbachev was US President Joe Biden, who called Gorbachev “a man of remarkable vision”.
“When he came to power, the Cold War had gone on for nearly 40 years and communism for even longer, with devastating consequences,” the President wrote on the White House’s website.
“Few high-level Soviet officials had the courage to admit that things needed to change.”
Biden said that, as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he saw Gorbachev do that and more.
“As leader of the USSR, he worked with President Reagan to reduce our two countries’ nuclear arsenals, to the relief of people worldwide praying for an end to the nuclear arms race,” he explained.
“After decades of brutal political repression, he embraced democratic reforms. He believed in glasnost and perestroika – openness and restructuring – not as mere slogans, but as the path forward for the people of the Soviet Union after so many years of isolation and deprivation.
“These were the acts of a rare leader – one with the imagination to see that a different future was possible and the courage to risk his entire career to achieve it. The result was a safer world and greater freedom for millions of people.”
Biden added that, even years after leaving office, Gorbachev was still deeply engaged.
“When Mr. Gorbachev visited the White House in 2009, he and I spoke for a long time about our countries’ ongoing work to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear stockpiles,” he said.
“It was easy to see why so many worldwide held him in such high esteem.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also paid tribute to Gorbachev in Twitter posts.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev,” Martin wrote.
“His sense of history, and commitment to openness, reform, and building bridges with the West, changed the world.”
Saddened to hear of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev.
His sense of history, and commitment to openness, reform, and building bridges with the West, changed the world.— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 30, 2022
Meanwhile, Varadkar said: “So sorry to hear of the death of Mikhail Gorbachev. By his life, he took actions that brought down the Berlin Wall, pulled back the iron curtain and brought freedom, democracy and independence to most of Central and Eastern Europe.
“He also gave us a glimpse of what a free Russia might look like and how it might even become a close partner and friend of Europe and the West.
“That dream will never die. Spasiba Sergeyevich.”
(2/2) He also gave us a glimpse of what a free Russia might look like and how it might even become a close partner and friend of Europe and the West. That dream will never die. Spasiba Sergeyevich
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) August 30, 2022
In another Twitter post, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called Gorbachev “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.”
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.
R.I.P Mikhail Gorbachev
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 30, 2022
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “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.”
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.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 30, 2022
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov is also reported to have told Interfax news agency that Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed “his deepest condolences” on Gorbachev’s death.
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