Mikhail Gorbachev, known for ending the Cold War, has died in Moscow aged 91. On Tuesday, his death was announced by Russian news agencies. Media reported that Gorbachev had died at a central hospital in Moscow after prolonged illness.
Gorbachev was one of the most influential leaders of his times. His reforms as Soviet leader transformed the country at a large scale and make him win Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
He served as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989 and Chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990. Thereafter, he served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, and President of the Soviet Union from 1990 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
During this period, he helped bring US-Soviet relations out of a deep freeze and played a crucial role in ending the Cold War. He forged arms reduction deals with the United States and also partnered with western powers to remove the ‘Iron Curtain’ that had divided Europe since World War Two.
However, he couldn’t prevent the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991, some even lamented the end of their country’s role as a global superpower. It is said that his internal reforms weakened the Soviet Union to a point where it fell apart.
Ideologically, Gorbachev adhered to Marxism–Leninism in his initial political career. However, he moved towards social democracy by 1990s.
