Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has
warned that tensions between the major powers have put the world “on the brink
of a new Cold War”.
The 83-year-old
former leader, who was instrumental in ending the Cold War a quarter of a
century ago, also accused the West - particularly the United States - of giving
in to “triumphalism” after the collapse of the communist bloc.
“The world is on
the brink of a new Cold War. Some are even saying that it's already
begun," Mr Gorbachev said on Saturday at an event within sight of the
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin. The event marked the 25th anniversary of the fall of
the Berlin Wall.
His remarks come
amid a time of increasingly tense relations between the United States and
Russia.
The on-going
conflict in Ukraine, which since erupting in protests in January has seen the
country embroiled in a bloody civil war with thousands of civilians killed, has
done little to ease the relationship between president Vladimir Putin and
American leader Barack Obama.
Read more: Movement of Russian tanks threatens
fragile ceasefire
Fall of the Berlin Wall: It was thanks to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that this symbol of division fell
analysis: Russia and the West need a compromise over the Crimea
Fall of the Berlin Wall: It was thanks to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that this symbol of division fell
analysis: Russia and the West need a compromise over the Crimea
Mr Gorbachev
suggested the West should lift sanctions imposed against senior Russian
officials over the country’s support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine,
while calling for new trust to be built through dialogue between Washington and
Moscow.
Prior to his
arrival in Germany, the former leader made an explicit declaration of his
support for the current Russian leader: “I am absolutely convinced that Putin
protects Russia’s interests better than anyone else.”
He warned that
the Ukrainian situation offered the US an “excuse” to victimise Russia, in an
interview with the Interfax news agency, and added that failure to secure
lasting security in Europe would make the continent irrelevant on the world
stage.
“As long as
Russians and Germans understand each other, as long as our relationship is
good, then everyone benefits,” Mr Gorbachev said.
German and
Russian relations have also been strained by events in Ukraine, with Chancellor
Angela Merkel voicing “grave concerns” over reports of a new Russian military
incursion in the region yesterday.
The pro-Russian
separatists have long denied they receive any form of aid from Putin’s
government.
Earlier this week
the Ukrainian government alleged the rebels had received substantial
consignments of weaponry and manpower from Russia. Moscow has consistently
denied these claims.
Additional
reporting by Associated Press
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق