Advertisement

Updated August 31st, 2022 at 11:00 IST

Japan's PM Kishida mourns Mikhail Gorbachev's demise, hails his role in reducing nuclear weapons

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his deepest condolences on Wednesday after the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union.

Image: AP | Image:self
Advertisement

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his deepest condolences on Wednesday after the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union.

"I would like to offer my deepest condolences to former President (Mikhail) Gorbachev. As the leader of the Soviet Union, Mr. Gorbachev has played an important role in overcoming to division of Europe and East-West confrontation after World War II. He was the first person in history to agree to reduce nuclear weapons between the United States and the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War," he said in a press conference.

"He has made great achievements as a world leader in favor of the abolition of nuclear weapons. I believe that Mr. Gorbachev, who possessed great strategic vision and decisive execution, played a very important role. Once again, I would like to express my deepest condolences in memory of his achievements," he added.

For many the man who restored democracy to then-communist-ruled European nations, was mourned Wednesday as the loss of as a rare leader who changed the world and for a time gave hope for peace among the superpowers.

But the man who died at age 91 on Tuesday was also reviled by many countrymen who blamed him for the 1991 implosion of the Soviet Union and its diminution as a superpower.

The Russian nation that emerged from its Soviet past shrank in size as 15 new nations were created.

Gorbachev won the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War but although widely feted abroad, he was a pariah at home.

It was unclear how news of his death will be received in Russia amid its nationalist war in Ukraine.

World leaders paid tribute to a man some described as a great and brave leader.

Kishida said Gorbachev had also made great achievements as a world leader in favour of the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Advertisement

Published August 31st, 2022 at 11:00 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Chandrakant Pandit and Gautam Gambhir
3 minutes ago
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
6 minutes ago
UFC Exclusive Erin Blanchfield
10 minutes ago
Shahjahan Sheikh in CBI Custody: First Visual Emerges | WATCH
12 minutes ago
Congress Kangana Ranaut
15 minutes ago
Bengaluru Traffic Restrictions For Feb 25 Owing to Constitution Awareness Campaign: Check Routes
19 minutes ago
Mandi Lok Sabha seat Pratibha Singh
20 minutes ago
Crew
20 minutes ago
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced the formation of a new PA cabinet.
22 minutes ago
नाबालिग से गैंगरेप
22 minutes ago
rupees-dearness-allowance
24 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo