Mikhail Gorbachev’s funeral is scheduled for the weekend. Vladimir Putin will not be there. CSU boss Söder calls for a commemoration in Germany – as does Gregor Gysi.
MOSCOW – Vladimir Putin will not attend the state funeral service for former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The funeral will take place on Saturday (September 3) in Moscow. However, Putin has no time, as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Interfax news agency.
Gorbachev funeral: Putin cancels – “schedule does not allow it”
Putins is on a business trip in Kaliningrad and therefore cannot attend. “We know the main ceremony and funeral will take place on September 3 – but the president’s schedule doesn’t allow him to be there,” Peskov said. Putin will say goodbye personally to Gorbachev in Moscow’s central hospital on Thursday. The last president of the Soviet Union died there on Tuesday after a long illness at the age of 91. It is currently unclear whether foreign politicians will attend the funeral.
In the meantime, there are calls in Germany for a commemoration event for Gorbachev. CSU boss Markus Söder demanded in the Munich Mercury a “German act of mourning”. Germany owes a lot to Gorbachev. “He is one of the fathers of reunification and gave freedom to millions of people. Germany must appreciate that.” Söder continued: “Gorbachev stood for a path to peace and freedom and is a role model, especially today.”
Gorbachev: Söder and Gysi call for German mourning
Left-wing politician Gregor Gysi made a similar statement mirror. “There should be a special commemoration because Mikhail Gorbachev made an important contribution to peace, disarmament and German unity.” The long-standing faction leader spoke of a memorial event “at which the difference between Putin and Gorbachev is made clear”. This should help ensure that “the sharp criticism of Putin does not lead to a rejection of all of Russia”.
While politicians in the West praised Gorbachev’s achievements in peace and the reunification of Germany, the reactions in Russia were mixed. Many politicians blamed the former head of state for the collapse of the Soviet Union. In a telegram of condolences, Putin praised Gorbachev’s zeal for reform and his many years of humanitarian activities.
Peskow explained that the funeral service will include “elements of a state funeral,” such as an honor guard. He did not give any further details. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said on Wednesday that it was not the time to “talk about travel”. However, he hopes “that the Russian state will honor its former head of state and government as it deserves.” (as/cd/dpa)
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