The last Soviet leader - 7th September 2022

The last leader of the Soviet Union is dead. Mikhail Gorbachev was 91 years old. He was President of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991.

Gorbachev made important deals with the USA. These agreements helped to end the Cold War. This cut the number of nuclear bombs. Gorbachev won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Countries in the West congratulated Gorbachev. But he wasn't popular with many Russians.

Gorbachev became the Soviet leader in 1985. He was 54 years old. His new ideas were very different. Gorbachev made lots of changes. Society was more free.

But the changes brought problems. There were lots of disagreements. The Soviet Union broke up. Gorbachev left power.

Mikhail Gorbachev: "I resign with a feeling of anxiety, but also with hope and faith in you, in your wisdom, in your strength of spirit."

Gorbachev continued to help people. He talked about education and human rights. He gave money to a new newspaper.

Gorbachev wanted Russia to have a good relationship with the USA. But he said nothing about Russia's war in Ukraine.