“A politician and statesman who had a great influence on world history” and who “attempted to propose his own solutions to burning problems”. In doing so, Vladimir Putin duly paid tribute to the figure of Mikhail Gorbachev without throwing himself into judgments of merit. But the current establishment’s contentious relationship with whoever signed the peace with the West emerges in the comments of other leaders. Above all, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to whom “the Gorbachev romance did not materialize”, there was no lasting peace with the former enemies and in the end their “blood thirst manifested itself”.
The embarrassment with which Moscow’s leaders reacted to the news – while Europe and the United States celebrated the man who changed history – was corroborated by the uncertainty that lingered throughout the day at a state funeral. Her daughter Irina said that the funeral home will be held on Saturday at the Moscow House of Trade Unions, and the burial on the same day at the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here Gorbachev is buried next to his beloved wife Raisa, not far from the graves of Khrushchev, Mayakovsky, Chekhov, Bulgakov, Shostakovich and Stalin’s wife, among others.
But Irina herself said that at the moment she cannot say whether there will be state funerals, which were announced by TASS but not confirmed by the Kremlin. The Interfax agency ruled them out, citing two “informed sources”. On the other hand, the verdict of Alexei Navalny, who says he learned of Gorbachev’s death from the “radio prison” is extremely positive.
The last Soviet leader was able to “peacefully leave power,” the opponent conceded, adding that Gorbachev “remained one of the very few who did not use power for personal gain and enrichment.” and “that alone is a grand undertaking by any standards”. of the former USSR”. The official reactions in Moscow also reflect the ambivalence in the relationship between the current system of power and the previous regime. This Russia, which denies the Soviet era, but at the same time presents itself as the heir to the empire that marked the maximum extension of Moscow’s power. TO
It was Peskov himself, recalling the words Putin said in an interview a few months after taking office as president: “If you don’t regret the collapse of the Soviet Union, you have no heart if you want the USSR it does not be reborn, you have no brain “. “The death of Gorbachev is a great loss for our country,” the Kremlin spokesman softened the initially harsh sentence. But “it was a very complex, multifaceted and often contradictory personality, which still provokes heated debates in our society.” Gorbachev “practically embodied the drastic changes in Russia and in the world,” according to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. While a hawk like former President Dmitry Medvedev is the man who advocates peace has worked with the West, gave perhaps the most positive and unexpected recognition History of the country made very difficult decisions. He laid the foundations for global changes, and the judgments and recommendations based on his extensive knowledge and experience were also important for the new Russia.” A clear summary of the most widespread opinion about Gorbachev in the Moscow leadership – but also in a large part of the Russian people – is an editorial published by Ria Novosti and signed by Irina Alksnis. “The old wisdom – wrote the commentator – says that the roads to hell are paved with good intentions”. That is, Gorbachev tried to reform the USSR, but could not cope with this difficult process and led to the overthrow of Russian power.
ANSA.it
Perestroika, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War, nuclear disarmament, withdrawal from Afghanistan: the name of Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in hospital after a long illness at the age of 91, is reminiscent of a whole era of historical changes that began in 1991 with the collapse of the USSR ended, of which he was the last president before ceding power to his rival Boris Ieltsin © ANSA
“Spiritually close at this moment of sorrow at the passing of your father, the Honorable Mikhail, I wish to offer my heartfelt condolences to you, your entire family and all those who saw him as a valued statesman.” This is what Pope Francis sent in a telegram of condolence to Mikhail Gorbachev’s daughter, Irina. “In grateful remembrance of his far-sighted commitment to harmony and brotherhood among peoples, as well as to the advancement of his own country, at a time of important changes, I raise prayers of suffrage and invoke for his soul good and merciful eternal peace”.