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“A trusted and respected leader.” “An example for all of us.” “A statesman who changed the course of history.” World leaders unanimously paid tribute to former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev following the announcement of his death. Widely considered to be responsible for the fall of the Soviet Union in his country, he is seen by the West as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century.
Before the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last president of the USSR, leaders from around the world have sent their messages with words in honor of who is considered one of the most important political figures of the late twentieth century.
In the first place, in his country, Russia, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, reported the reaction of the Russian president. “Vladimir Putin expresses its deep condolences on the death of Mikhail Gorbachev and will send a condolence telegram tomorrow morning to the family and relatives of the former leader,” Peskov said.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, expressed his “condolences for the death of Mikhail Gorbachev” on the social network Twitter. The president of the rooster country greeted the memory of a “man of peace whose decisions opened a path of freedom for the Russians.” He added that the former Russian leader’s “commitment to peace in Europe” “changed our common history.”
The UN Secretary General, Anthony GuterresFor his part, he expressed his “deep sadness” and paid tribute to “a unique statesman who changed the course of history.” “He did more than anyone else to bring about a peaceful end to the Cold War,” he said, referring to Gorbachev as a “tireless advocate for peace.”
Mikhail Gorbachev was a one-of-a kind statesman who changed the course of history.
The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.
I’m deeply saddened by his passing. pic.twitter.com/giu2RHSjrQ
— Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 30, 2022
“I have always admired the courage and integrity he showed in bringing the Cold War to a peaceful conclusion,” the British prime minister reacted. Boris Johnson in a tweet. “In the midst of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to all,” he added.
“A trustworthy leader (who) paved the way for a free Europe,” wrote the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenalso on Twitter, adding that the former Soviet leader’s legacy will not be “forgotten.”
Mikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader. I have 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.
RIP Mikhail Gorbachev
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 30, 2022
“He will be remembered in history as a man who began a historic transformation for the benefit of humanity,” said the former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissingerwho also mentioned that Europe and Europeans “owe Gorbachev gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said that the last president of the USSR helped “change” the world and considered him one of the most significant political figures of the late 20th century.
“At a time when the threat to the world of nuclear destruction was very real, he saw the urgent need for rapprochement with the West and for further openness and reform – glasnost and perestroika – in the then Soviet Union,” Martin added. the media.
His leadership helped end the arms race between East and West, ended the Cold War and brought down the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War II.
According to Martin, “There are very few figures who can be said to have really changed the world. Mikhail Gorbachev was one. He will be remembered for a long time.”
In Latin America, the former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos lamented Gorbachev’s departure. “A champion of peace, Mikhail Gorbachev, left. The world needs many more leaders like him,” he expressed.
Next to him, the former Mexican president, Felipe Calderonsaid he felt saddened by the death of “the last Soviet leader, one of the builders of the modern world, whom I had the opportunity to meet.” The former leader concluded his tribute by saluting the memory of the man who “promoted the very important Russian democratic transition (now reversed)”.
With Reuters, AFP and EFE
