The Soviet leader withdrew troops from Afghanistan, signed an agreement with the United States on reduction of medium-range missiles, which gave his fans a reason to talk about preventing nuclear war. He destroyed the Iron Curtain and put an end to the Cold War.
German reunification was another important step towards peace in Europe as well as the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the Warsaw Pact countries. From the viewpoint of the West, Gorbachev is the leader who saved them from fear. The increased openness he brought into Soviet society helped to strengthen international trust.
I consider Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, first of all, a person who inspired a new outlook on the world. He was the first to announce to the world community that the Soviet Union can live in freedom.
He did much to change the world, and the Soviet Union was no longer considered a threat. Moreover, he managed to clear the way for the natural course of history and to preserve the most important thing - human lives. Gorbachev has always been follower of the ideas of Humanism, and this saved our country from the bloody chaos. Gorbachev, in my opinion, was much ahead of his time. Perhaps, that’s why he was underestimated in our country.
I want to congratulate Mikhail Sergeyevich on the significant anniversary and wish him good health, energy and all the best.”