Mikhail Gorbachev on Vladimir Putin
TL;DR
Mikhail Gorbachev held a complex, shifting view of Vladimir Putin, mixing early praise for stability with later concern over authoritarianism and foreign policy.
Key Points
In 2005, he openly stated support for Putin’s policies because they brought stability and initiated positive processes toward a democratic state.
He criticized the president in 2013 for turning politics into an imitation of democracy and allowing corruption to reach colossal proportions.
The former Soviet leader never publicly condemned the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, though his foundation called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in February 2022.
Summary
Mikhail Gorbachev's position on Vladimir Putin was characterized by a fluctuating relationship that evolved over more than two decades of Putin’s rule. Initially, the former Soviet leader expressed hope for the former KGB agent, viewing him as an intelligent, serious, and well-organized figure who could bring stability following the chaos of the 1990s. Gorbachev even voiced support for Putin’s early reforms and praised his decision to annex Crimea from Ukraine, suggesting that Putin was acting in the interests of the majority and restoring Russia’s great power status. This period saw Gorbachev overlook or downplay concerns about growing authoritarian tendencies and the closing of democratic space.
However, this endorsement cooled significantly as time progressed, leading to veiled criticism and then stronger condemnation, particularly after what Gorbachev perceived as the imitation of democracy following the 2011 elections and the monopolization of the economy. The ultimate disillusionment stemmed from Putin dismantling much of Gorbachev's legacy, especially concerning international relations and internal freedoms, which led critics to suggest that Gorbachev died feeling his life’s work was undone. While Putin honored Gorbachev formally upon his death, the Russian president simultaneously championed a nationalist, imperial vision that directly contradicted the former leader’s globalist and reformist ideals.
Key Quotes
"I openly support Putin for the simple reason that the first stage in his tenure as president brought us stability and greater manageability, and positive processes were set in motion"
Frequently Asked Questions
Mikhail Gorbachev's position was highly complex and changed over time, exhibiting a pattern of embracing and then rejecting the Russian leader. He initially respected Putin for bringing stability after the 1990s but grew increasingly critical of his authoritarian tendencies and democratic backsliding.
Yes, the former Soviet leader supported some of Putin's actions, notably the 2014 annexation of Crimea, asserting that the people there had decided to correct a prior mistake. He also praised Putin's early efforts to bring stability to Russia after the collapse of the USSR.
Gorbachev reportedly grew despondent, believing that Putin was undoing nearly everything he had worked for, particularly regarding the curtailment of freedoms and Russia's relationship with the West. This dismantling of his life’s work became a source of deep disappointment for the elder statesman.