Mikhail Gorbachev

Matthew Longo's book provides a gripping account of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the transition to a new age marked by the construction of barriers

Hundreds of mourners lined up Saturday to pay tribute to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who launched drastic reforms that helped end the Cold War and precipitated the breakup of the Soviet Union, in a farewell snubbed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin's refusal to declare a state funeral reflects its uneasiness about the legacy of Gorbachev, who has been venerated worldwide for bringing down the Iron Curtain but reviled by many at home for the Soviet collapse and the ensuing economic meltdown that plunged millions into poverty. On Thursday, Putin privately laid flowers at Gorbachev's coffin at a Moscow hospital where he died. The Kremlin said the president's busy schedule would prevent him from attending the funeral. Asked what specific business will keep Putin busy on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the president will have a series of working meetings, an international phone call and needs to prepare for a business forum in ...

In pics: Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet leader who ended the Cold War

Mikhail Gorbachev died on August 30. These pictures narrate how he brought the Soviet Union closer to the West than at any point since World War Two

He added that the Russian President visited the Central Clinical Hospital today to pay his respects to Gorbachev

The Kremlin said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the weekend funeral of former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev but has paid tribute to him. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a Moscow hospital where Mikhail Gorbachev's body is kept before Saturday's funeral. Peskov told reporters that Putin's schedule wouldn't allow him to attend Saturday's farewell ceremony, but paid tribute to late Soviet leader. Asked if Gorbachev will be given a state funeral, Peskov said the funeral will have elements of state funeral, such as honorary guards and other formalities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the demise of former Soviet leader Mikhail S Gorbachev, and said he was one of the leading statesmen of the 20th century who left an indelible mark on the course of history. Gorbachev died at a hospital in Moscow on Tuesday at the age of 91 after a "serious and prolonged illness", according to the Russian media. His death prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from leaders across the world. "I extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of H.E. Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, one of the leading statesmen of the 20th century who left an indelible mark on the course of history," Modi said in a tweet. "We recall and value his contribution to strengthening of relations with India," he said. Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until its collapse in 1991. He visited India in 1986 as well as in 1988. Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel peace prize for negotiating a historic nuclear arms pact with the then Un

Gorbachev won the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War and spent his later years collecting accolades and awards from all corners of the world

The former Soviet leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate died in Moscow on Tuesday at the age of 91

Mikhail Gorbachev pushed for radical changes to Soviet economy at age 54. His overhaul, and policy of openness, unleashed a political avalanche that brought down the Berlin Wall and ended Soviet rule

If India thinks it's caught in an awful two-front situation, the picture is more challenging for Pakistan. It can continue fighting India and become a protectorate of China

Relations between Moscow and Washington have soured further as the US pulled the plug on Syria talks and accused Russia of hacking