Status: 08/31/2022 00:42
The news of the death of former Soviet leader Gorbachev has caused grief around the world. Numerous politicians recognized his contribution to the end of the Cold War. Russian President Putin expressed his condolences.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his deepest condolences over the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, a spokesman said. Putin will send the family a telegram in the morning, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced. Former Soviet leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Gorbachev died on Tuesday at the age of 91.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres was “deeply saddened” by Gorbachev’s death. Guterres said he was a “unique statesman” who changed the course of history. “He did more than anyone else to bring the Cold War to a peaceful end.” The 73-year-old Portuguese expressed his condolences to the family of Gorbachev and the people of Russia. The statement by the Nobel Peace Prize winner that peace is not unity in similarity, but unity in diversity, was put into practice with his policy.
“A role model for all of us”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to Gorbachev’s historical legacy. “I have always admired the courage and integrity he showed in bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end,” Johnson wrote on Twitter. He also confronted Gorbachev with Putin. “At a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his relentless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example for all of us,” Johnson wrote.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of Gorbachev 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 described Gorbachev as a leader who was reliable and respected. “He paved the way for a free Europe. We will never forget this legacy.”
“A brave man of conviction”
Several federal politicians also paid tribute to the Russian Nobel Peace Prize winner shortly after his death became known. Without Gorbachev, “the peaceful revolutions in the countries of the Eastern Bloc would not have been conceivable here,” wrote Bundestag Vice President and Green politician Katrin Göring-Eckardt on Twitter. “His words have encouraged us, made me strong.”
Germany owes a lot to Gorbachev, Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) also wrote on Twitter. “He ushered in the end of the Cold War, enabled Germany’s reunification and gave his country a democratic momentum. A brave man of conviction whose voice will be missed.”
Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) made a similar statement and added: “His death is depressing. Even more so at this time. Thank you & #RIP”. Green politician Jürgen Trittin tweeted: “I bow to a great politician of peace Michael #Gorbachev RIP”.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz wrote on Twitter: “The CDU mourns the loss of a statesman who Germany could trust and who trusted us.” Without him, “German unity in freedom” would not have been possible.