Mikhail Gorbachev was one of the great statesmen of the last century

In the seven decades of the Soviet Union, there was no leader like Mikhail Gorbachev.

He came at the end of that ‘evil empire’ (as his rival, then friend, Ronald Reagan described it), and presided over its demise.

This is one reason that some Russian nationalists despite Gorbachev’s legacy. But the collapse of the USSR was not because of him, but rather because of profound flaws in communist rule, ones that he tried to address.

From the moment Gorbachev became head of the Soviet Union in 1985, he was different. First, as a man in his 50s of evident vitality he was in contrast to his older predecessors.

Second the mere fact that he often smiled was a novelty.

And third it became clear that he wanted internal reform to the dictatorial and highly inefficient Soviet system, but also good relations with the wealthy western nations that for so long had been far outstripping Russia in terms of economic growth, technological advance, and quality of life.

Gorbachev forged a bond with capitalist leaders including Margaret Thatcher, but above all with Ronald Reagan. That the USSR chief had won the approval of the ruling politburo, and that Mr Reagan was a traditional conservative American, gave them the authority within their own power bases to meet and to talk and to discuss a thawing in the cold war.

Both men wanted to reduce the nuclear build-up that had happened in their respective nations — enough firepower to destroy mankind. And so they met numerous times, striking up an obviously warm relationship, and delighting a world that had feared nuclear Armageddon, yet looked at the pictures of them at ease in each other’s company.

Gorbachev in the end failed to reform the USSR enough for it to survive, and left the top job (a post that by then was called president) at a time of turmoil in Russia. You could say it has never fully recovered. But in retirement Gorbachev showed more of the sort of man he was — thoughtful, realistic and humane. One of the great statesmen of the last century.