The disappearance of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, aroused many reactions, particularly in the French political class.
Valérie Pécresse thus praised in a tweet "
the man of perestroika and the peaceful end of the USSR and the communist bloc
".
Former Solidarity Minister Damien Abad hailed a "
symbol of the end of the Cold War
", as did the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi.
Internationally, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter that he had always "
admired the courage and integrity
" of Gorbachev.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed "
a trustworthy leader (who) paved the way for a free Europe
".
Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was
“saddened”
by the news of the death of
“a man who was trying to provide a better life for his people.
(…) Without him and his courage, it would not have been possible to end the cold war peacefully
,” she tweeted.
Finally, according to the Interfax news agency, the current Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his sincere condolences.
"Vladimir Putin expresses his deep condolences following the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, he will send a telegram of condolences to the family and loved ones in the morning"
of the former leader, said Dmitry Peskov, quoted by the press agency CASS.
