Portrait of Mikhail Gorbachev
Politician · country
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

Mikhail Gorbachev on Ukraine

Bewildered by war (strong)

TL;DR

Mikhail Gorbachev was reportedly shocked and psychologically crushed by the Russian war against Ukraine, deeply regretting the evolution of relations.

Key Points

  • He was reportedly shocked and psychologically crushed by the February 2022 invasion, calling for an early end to hostilities.

  • Kyiv never forgave his public approval of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, contributing to his negative perception there.

  • He advocated for a political means of solving problems and would not have waged war to restore the defunct Soviet Union.

Summary

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, was reportedly profoundly distressed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to his long-time interpreter. He was described as shocked and bewildered by the conflict that began on February 24, 2022, which his interpreter believed crushed him emotionally and psychologically in his final months. The former leader believed the Russian and Ukrainian peoples were deeply intermingled, and this entire deterioration of relations over the preceding years was described as a very big blow to him.

His position on Ukraine was noted as complex, as he still mentally viewed the region as part of an imagined post-Soviet space. However, his historical stance was further complicated by his 2014 approval of Moscow's annexation of Crimea, for which Kyiv never forgave him, leading to his perception in Ukraine as an 'imperialist' despite having inadvertently paved the way for its independence in 1991.

Key Quotes

I hereby discontinue my activities at the post of President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mikhail Gorbachev was reportedly shocked and bewildered by the conflict that started in February 2022. His interpreter claimed the evolution of relations that led to the war crushed him emotionally and psychologically. He reportedly favored an early cessation of hostilities and the start of peace negotiations.

Yes, his position appears to have evolved, particularly regarding the 2022 invasion, which he reportedly lamented. However, his legacy is complicated by his earlier statements, such as when he approved of the 2014 annexation of Crimea, which drew strong disapproval in Ukraine.

In the period before his death in August 2022, he reportedly expressed deep dismay over the situation, believing the two nations were historically intermingled. He also reportedly believed in solving issues politically rather than through military force.