Mikhail Gorbachev, Former Soviet leader dies.

Overview

The former Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev dies at age 91. He was the last leader of the Soviet Union. He was the one who brought peace by ended the Cold War

When Mr. Gorbachev came to power in 1985, he opened up the Soviet Union to the outside world and implemented a number of domestic reforms. But he was powerless to stop the Soviet Union’s slow demise, which gave rise to contemporary Russia. People from all across the world have expressed tribute, with UN chief António Guterres claiming that he “changed the course of history.”

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, died at the age of 91, according to Russian media. Gorbachev fought vainly to save a collapsing empire while implementing extraordinary reforms that brought an end to the Cold War.

He passed away following a protracted illness, according to a Central Clinical Hospital statement that was cited by news organisations. Other information was withheld.

“Mikhail Gorbachev was a one-of-a kind statesman,” UN Secretary General Mr Guterres wrote in a Twitter tribute. “The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.”

His defeat was embarrassing. He spent his final months in government watching republic after republic declare independence until he resigned on December 25, 1991, his power irreparably depleted by an attempt on his life in August 1991. A day later, the Soviet Union wrote itself out of existence.

Gorbachev told The Associated Press a quarter-century after the collapse that he had not thought of using extensive force to attempt to maintain the USSR’s unity because he dreaded chaos in a nuclear nation.

Gorbachev, who helped end the Cold War and received the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts, spent his later years accumulating honours and prizes from all over the world. He was, however, largely detested at home.

According to the government-run Tass news service, Gorbachev will rest with his wife in the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow.