Moscow, Aug 31, (dpa/GNA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin, has paid tribute to the last leader of the Soviet, Union Mikhail Gorbachev, who died on Tuesday evening, for his reform efforts and humanitarian work.
“Mikhail Gorbachev was a politician and statesman, who had a tremendous influence on the course of world history,” reads the brief condolence telegram to relatives released by the Kremlin on Wednesday.
Gorbachev led the country to a time of “dramatic change” and recognized the great need for reform at the time, Putin wrote.
“I would like to particularly emphasize the great humanitarian, charitable and educational activity that Mikhail Sergeevitch Gorbachev carried out all these past years,” the letter reads.
The Nobel Peace laureate himself, had criticized Putin several times during his lifetime for the restrictions on freedom and democracy in Russia.
GNA