Vladimir Putin on Mikhail Gorbachev
Vladimir Putin views Mikhail Gorbachev as a politician and statesman who made a "huge impact" on the course of world history.
In statements released upon Gorbachev's death, Putin expressed his "deepest condolences" to the family and friends of the last Soviet leader. Putin noted that Gorbachev led the country through a time of "complex, dramatic changes" involving major foreign policy, economic, and social challenges.
Furthermore, Putin acknowledged that Gorbachev deeply understood the need for reforms and actively sought his own solutions to urgent problems facing the nation. This recognition exists alongside Putin's long-held view that the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which occurred under Gorbachev's watch (1985-1991), was the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century."
Context
Vladimir Putin's perspective on Mikhail Gorbachev is significant because Putin has dedicated a substantial portion of his rule to attempting to reverse aspects of Gorbachev's legacy, particularly concerning the geopolitical status of the former Soviet space. Putin's most famous critique is labeling the 1991 Soviet collapse as the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century."
Despite this fundamental disagreement over the outcome, the Kremlin’s official reaction to Gorbachev's passing was measured, expressing condolences and recognizing his historical significance. This illustrates the complex dynamic where Putin must acknowledge the historical magnitude of Gorbachev's actions while simultaneously distancing himself ideologically from the final result of Perestroika and Glasnost.
Key Quotes
Mikhail Gorbachev was a politician and statesman who had a huge impact on the course of world history.
He led our country during a period of complex, dramatic changes, large-scale foreign policy, economic and social challenges.
He deeply understood that reforms were necessary, he strove to offer his own solutions to urgent problems.
Comparison
- Historical Impact vs. State Integrity: Putin credits Gorbachev with a "huge impact on world history" but contrasts this with the state's dissolution, which Putin views negatively.
- Romanticism of the West: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, reflecting the official stance, noted Gorbachev's "romanticism" about the West and the hope for an "eternal romance" between the Soviet Union and the West, suggesting this romanticism "failed to materialize."
- Personal Treatment: It is suggested that Putin showed a degree of tolerance toward Gorbachev, allowing him to return home after a period of quasi-exile and attempting to portray that Gorbachev had good intentions despite the outcome.
Sources5
Russia president Putin says Gorbachev had 'huge impact on world history'
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.