Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dies at 91

EKO HOT BLOG reports that former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has died aged 91.

Gorbachev, who took over in 1985, is best known for opening up the USSR and for bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end, but he was unable to prevent his country collapsing in 1991.

Many Russians blame him and his reformist policies for the country’s demise.

The hospital where he died said he had been suffering from a long and serious illness.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his deepest condolences on Gorbachev’s death, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency Interfax, according to Reuters.

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen praised him as a “trusted and respected leader” who “opened the way for a free Europe”.

“This legacy is one we will not forget,” she added.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he admired Gorbachev’s courage and integrity.

“In a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his tireless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to us all,” he said.

Gorbachev became general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, and de facto leader of the country, at the age of 54.