A man of history - 7th September 2022

The death of President Mikhail Gorbachev marks the end of an era. The 91 year old led the Soviet Union from 1985 until its collapse in 1991. He'll be remembered for improving East-West relations and ending the Cold War.

Gorbachev and US president Ronald Reagan signed a historic treaty. Both countries significantly reduced their stock of nuclear arms. For his achievements, the Soviet president received the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize.

Gorbachev's statesmanship was praised by the West. However, his decisions lost him support at home. When he didn't send the Soviet army to stop protests in East Germany, he was blamed for losing its European empire.

He was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party in 1985. Gorbachev, just 54, began a radical series of reforms which reshaped the state. His programme emphasised 'glasnost' and 'perestroika', meaning openness and restructuring.

However, unexpected issues from the reforms led to economic collapse and Gorbachev's resignation.

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 then earned a living speaking around the world on education and human rights. He also partly funded the first new, independent Russian newspaper.

Although he wasn't involved in Russian politics, he continued to argue for good Russian-American relations. However, his voice on the invasion of Ukraine was silent.