Mikhail Gorbachev is dead. The Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Soviet head of state has died in Moscow at the age of 91. Politicians around the world reacted with sadness to the news. A selection:
Chancellor Olaf Scholz recognizes Gorbachev as a courageous reformer who dared a lot and made it possible with his policies “that Germany could be united and the Iron Curtain has disappeared,” said the Chancellor on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting at Meseberg Castle. “We know that he died at a time when not only democracy in Russia failed – there is no other way to describe the current situation there – but also when Russia and Russian President Putin are drawing new rifts in Europe and a terrible one war against a neighboring country, Ukraine, has begun,” says Scholz. “That’s why we’re thinking of Mikhail Gorbachev and we know how important he was for the development of Europe and our country in recent years,” says Scholz.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock Gorbachev expresses Germany’s eternal gratitude. “In moments of destiny in our history, Michael Gorbachev was guided by peace and understanding between people. We mourn the loss of a statesman to whom we are eternally grateful,” she writes on Twitter.
Finance Minister Christian Lindner emphasizes that Gorbachev’s commitment to peace and freedom in Europe will not be forgotten. “His commitment has changed our history,” writes Lindner, also on Twitter. “A trailblazer for the end of the Cold War and a driving force behind German unity: we owe so much to Mikhail Gorbachev.”
Numerous other politicians in Germany, where Gorbachev was always particularly popular, also paid tribute to the deceased: “Without him, the peaceful revolution might not have been peaceful, and reunification in 1990 might not have happened,” he writes SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil on twitter.
Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Greens) draws the arc even further: Without Gorbachev “the peaceful revolutions in the countries of the Eastern bloc, here, would not have been conceivable,” she writes in the short message service. “His words have encouraged us, made me strong.”
CDU leader Friedrich Merz writes: “The CDU mourns the loss of a statesman whom Germany could trust and who trusted us.” Without him, “German unity in freedom” would not have been possible.
CSU boss Markus Söder recognizes Gorbachev as a man “who recognized the signs of the times earlier than others, ended the Cold War and made a long period of peace possible”https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/.”Has the path to German unity he opened without hesitation,” said the Bavarian Prime Minister.
Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) called the former Soviet president a “politician of the century”. Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) writes: “A brave man of conviction whose voice will be missing.” Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) makes a similar statement and adds: “His death is depressing. Even more so at this time.” Green politician Jürgen Trittin tweets: “I bow to a great politician of peace Michael #Gorbachev RIP”.
“Can one person change the world?” asks the former CDU leader Armin Laschet on Twitter and immediately answered himself: “Yes. He can. No violence, no tanks, withdrawal of 350,000 Soviet soldiers from Germany. Freedom for millions in Central and Eastern Europe. German unity. Unthinkable without Mikhail Gorbachev.” Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) quotes Laschet’s tweet and agrees “unreservedly”. “I still remember the first portrait I read about Gorbachev, in 1987. It was clear from the start that he could make the world a better place. He succeeded.”
Of the left party outer oneself Bundestag faction leader Dietmar Bartsch. “Gorbachev changed the world,” he writes, recalling the key words of Gorbachev’s new policy, which were eagerly embraced by many in the GDR: perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). “The only autograph I ever got is from him.”
“Mikhail Gorbachev has also fundamentally changed my life. I will never forget it,” she writes former Chancellor Angela Merkel. “May the memory of his historic achievement make it possible to pause, especially during these terrible weeks and months of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Merkel said in a statement published on her website. It was with great sadness that she heard the news of his death. “Gorbachev wrote world history. Without him, the peaceful revolution in the GDR would not have been possible. “To this day I can still feel the fear I shared with many people in the GDR in 1989, whether tanks would roll again like they did in 1953, when we ‘We are the people’ and later ‘We are one people’ shouted. But this time – unlike in 1953 – no tanks rolled and no shots were fired,” writes Merkel.
International participation is also great. UN Secretary-General António Guterres describes Gorbachev as a “unique statesman” who changed the course of history. A statement read: “He did more than anyone else to bring the Cold War to a peaceful end.” Gorbachev put his statement that peace is not unity in similarity, but unity in diversity, with his policy into practice.
US President Joe Biden calls Gorbachev a “man with a remarkable vision”. After decades of brutal political repression in the Soviet Union, he advocated democratic reforms. “These were the actions of an extraordinary leader – one who had the imagination to see a different future possible and the courage to risk her entire career to achieve it. The result was a safer world and greater freedom for Millions of people,” Biden said. During a visit to the White House in 2009, when he was Vice President in Barack Obama’s administration, he spoke with him at length about efforts to reduce US and Russian nuclear stockpiles. “It was easy to see why so many people around the world held him in such high esteem,” says Biden.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlights the importance of the former Soviet leader for Europe. “He played a crucial role in ending the Cold War and the fall of the Iron Curtain,” von der Leyen wrote on Twitter. She describes Gorbachev as a leader who was reliable and respected. “He paved the way for a free Europe. We will never forget this legacy.”
Of the French President Emmanuel Macron honors Gorbachev as a “man of peace”. His decision opened up “a path to freedom” for the Russians, Macron wrote on Twitter. “His commitment to peace in Europe has changed our common history.”
Of the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson honors the historical legacy of the deceased Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner. “I have always admired the courage and integrity he showed in bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end,” Johnson wrote on Twitter, referring to the political situation in Europe: “At a time of Putin’s aggression in the Ukraine, his relentless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to all of us.” Gorbachev, son of a Russian father and a Ukrainian mother, is said to have rejected the war in Ukraine.
The celebrity also expresses himself in detail liberal Russian opposition politician Grigory Yavlinsky. “Gorbachev gave us freedom. He gave freedom to millions of people – in and around Russia and in half of Europe.” Yavlinsky and his opposition party, Yabloko, are among the last remnants of the opposition in Russia. Jawlinski writes that it is still the responsibility of the Russians to use the freedom they were given back then. He also emphasizes that despite unlimited powers, Gorbachev did not steal from his people. “In all challenges to power, Gorbachev has managed to maintain his dignity and remain a human being.”
The prominent Russian foreign politician Konstantin Kosachev describes Gorbachev’s death as a tragedy for his country. “Gorbachev has paved a path that our people would otherwise not have been able to walk in the last three and a half decades,” he writes on Telegram. This path was difficult – but unlike in the 70 years before, he went in the right direction. “Despite the inconsistency of the results, Gorbachev deserves respect and he deserves to be remembered.” To this day, Gorbachev remains unpopular with many in Russia.
And what says Wladimir Putin? Gorbachev has taken a negative stance towards the current Russian President. He has repeatedly asked him not to further restrict the freedom of the media and elections. Putin said he was “deeply sad” and would send a telegram to the family on Wednesday morning.