Mikhail Gorbachev, who ended the Cold War without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, died on Tuesday at the age of 91, hospital officials in Moscow said.
Mr Gorbachev, who took power in 1985, opened up the Soviet Union to the world and introduced a set of reforms at home.
But he was unable to prevent the slow collapse of the Soviet Union, from which modern Russia emerged.
Tributes have been paid worldwide. Below are some reactions from around the world:
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN
He expressed “his deepest condolences,” his spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax news agency. “Tomorrow he will send a telegram of condolences to his family and friends.”
U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
“Mikhail Gorbachev was a man of remarkable vision … As leader of the USSR, he worked with President Reagan to reduce our two countries’ nuclear arsenals … After decades of brutal political repression, he embraced democratic reforms.
“The result was a safer world and greater freedom for millions of people.”
U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev, a one-of-a kind statesman who changed the course of history. He did more than any other individual to bring about the peaceful end of the Cold War.
“The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.”
