Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, has been appointed as the head of the Russian team of negotiators on Ukraine, following a decision by President Vladimir Putin.
“Mr Gorbachev is a very experienced politician, with a successful background, as well as a personal friend of President Putin” said Kremlin's spokeman Dmitry Peskov, adding that “the President has always admired Mr Gorbachev's skills in crisis management and advertising. See for example how smoothly he led the USSR to disaster, but also his outstanding performance in Pizza Hut's commercial”.
“Mr Gorbachev is a very experienced politician, with a successful background, as well as a personal friend of President Putin” said Kremlin's spokeman Dmitry Peskov, adding that “the President has always admired Mr Gorbachev's skills in crisis management and advertising. See for example how smoothly he led the USSR to disaster, but also his outstanding performance in Pizza Hut's commercial”.
Despite his advanced age, Mikhail Gorbachev, 91, expressed his gratitude to Vladimir Putin for providing him an opportunity to feel useful for his homeland. “After the dissolution of the Soviet Union I felt empty, as long as there wasn't anything else to destroy” said the veteran politician and added: “I hope I shall prove myself worthy of the honor Mr President is doing me and contribute to the complete disaster that already exists in Ukraine”.
Mr Gorbachev, who replaces Vladimir Medinsky as chief negotiator, is due to travel to Istanbul for the continuation of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
