Western tributes to the last leader of the Soviet Union after Gorbachev's death

Gorbachev won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. Archive

The last leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, died yesterday evening in Russia at the age of 91, while a number of Western leaders praised the late and his decisive role in ending the Cold War.

Gorbachev died after a long struggle with a serious illness, according to the Central Hospital of the Russian Presidency, where he was being treated.

Gorbachev, who came to power in 1985, is highly respected in Western countries and was awarded the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War.

Russian President Vladimir Putin mourned the last leader of the Soviet Union, and said in a telegram of condolences to his relatives: "He was a politician and statesman, and had a great influence on the course of world history, and led the country at a time of radical change, and realized the great need for reform at that time."

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron praised Gorbachev as "a man of peace whose decision opened the path to freedom for the Russians," stressing that his commitment to peace in Europe changed the common history.

US President Joe Biden praised the former Soviet leader, describing him as a "man of great vision."

"Gorbachev worked to bring about democratic reforms in the Soviet Union, and these were the actions of a rare leader with the imagination to see the possibility of a different future and the courage to risk his entire career to do so," Biden said in a White House statement.

The result was a safer world, and greater freedom for millions of people.

For his part, the outgoing British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said he was sad to hear the news of Gorbachev's death.

"His relentless commitment to the openness of Soviet society remains an example to all of us," he added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the late, and Schulz said that Gorbachev was very bold, and his policy made the union of Germany and the disappearance of the Iron Curtain possible.

In turn, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed his deep sadness at the death of Gorbachev, noting that he was a unique statesman who changed the course of history, considering that with his passing the world lost a great world leader, committed to pluralism, and tirelessly advocated for peace.

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