Mikhail Gorbachev talks about Vladimir Putin at the LBJ Library (2011)

On October 18, 2011, Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and the man credited with ending the cold war, spoke with Library Director Mark Updegrove in the LBJ Auditorium. Prior to the program, Gorbachev had stated he believed Vladimir Putin should step down as President of Russia. Updegrove asked Gorbachev why he had that opinion. In response, Gorbachev said authoritarian measures as a policy for the future are wrong and “…You see that where you have leaders that rule for 20 years or more you see what happens around them. The only thing that is important in such situations for those leaders and people around them is holding onto power. I believe that this is something that is happening now in our country.”

[@deborahrhoades1577]

He never got the credit he deserved in aiding in the end of the Cold War. Reagan could not have been as successful if Gorbachev had not been the leader of the USSR at the time.

[@brianflower5490]

Gorbachev was so right all those years ago !

[@ildiphoenix]

I always respected Gorbachev,funny but never liked Putin ,now I know why !

[@willytheriot8439]

Gorbachev is the coolest dude on the planet

[@didequen3339]

In case people dont know him. He is the most influential figure in 100 years in term of political landscape. He ended the ussr in peace otherwise we might have had ww3 ling time ago

[@benchapman3788]

Ironic about what he says about Putin

[@JuanHernandez-bd1un]

He is a great man.

[@tendetphilip]

Ten years ago

[@djizzah]

Gorbachev was a great man

[@aekpdx105]

There will come a day when history will stand by Gorbachev as one of the most important personalities of the twentieth century who loved his people and loved humanity. I would not expect small-minded people to comprehend the ideas of this great man until a disaster occurred.

[@enlightened_herenow]

Wise man

[@shovelhead4558]

A great man will never forget his setting his people amazing.

[@matthewshannon6946]

I've had the pleasure of visiting the library-- tremendous institution!!

[@reluminopraha5948]

Up to the point.

[@TheStobb50]

Probably one of the most important politicians of the second half of the 20th century the man had a wisdom and he was right about Putin

[@svetlanavi5081]

This is excellent example of wrong translation.

[@adamstheguy1619]

This translator is good but annoying. Why can’t he translate chapters like any other interpreter

[@bethcares17anonymous38]

Smart man!

[@brexistentialism7628]

👍

[@GKCostalas]

What a loaded question.

[@naradaian]

How old is this recording