Gorbachev’s biggest mistake was probably not securing “Not an inch to the East” guarantees (which would prevent NATO expansion) in writing. Today, the West dismisses this as a lie, despite evidence suggesting that former US Secretary of State James Baker did indeed make such a promise. Gorbachev was naive and outmaneuvered by Kohl in negotiations related to Germany’s unification and NATO membership. He is arguably more disliked than Yeltsin, who often humiliated Russia publicly.
Regarding Zelensky’s recent comments on Western betrayal, it doesn’t surprise me. It was only a matter of time before Kiev hardliners noticed the obvious.
Perhaps Marx's aphorism "History always repeats, first as tragedy, second
as farce" fits the Gorbachev-Zelensky comparison. For Mr.Z's part, what could be more farcical than a performative "peace summit" that has no prospect of moving toward peace?
Then maybe some day he'll go back to his roots and open with a stand-up act for another guitar "performance" by Blinken in that Kyiv neo-nazi pizza joint. They'll both likely be gone from power soon and will need a new gig.
Maybe the historic judgement of Gorbachev will depend on how he will be related to the unprecedented cost in human lives, and the economic catastrophe, that followed after him. He could be a tragic fool, perhaps well meaning, who couldn´t grasp the forces he was setting loose and the disaster in their tails. Another judgement could be that he was the first great traitor, with Jeltsin as the second., of the nations and peoples he was supposed to govern.
And a reminder: Even though the cold war didn´t end up hot ( yet...?), the demographic and economic suffering for the the people in the remains of the Soviet Union were on parity with a great hot war.
Thank you for another great post.
Gorbachev’s biggest mistake was probably not securing “Not an inch to the East” guarantees (which would prevent NATO expansion) in writing. Today, the West dismisses this as a lie, despite evidence suggesting that former US Secretary of State James Baker did indeed make such a promise. Gorbachev was naive and outmaneuvered by Kohl in negotiations related to Germany’s unification and NATO membership. He is arguably more disliked than Yeltsin, who often humiliated Russia publicly.
Regarding Zelensky’s recent comments on Western betrayal, it doesn’t surprise me. It was only a matter of time before Kiev hardliners noticed the obvious.
Perhaps Marx's aphorism "History always repeats, first as tragedy, second
as farce" fits the Gorbachev-Zelensky comparison. For Mr.Z's part, what could be more farcical than a performative "peace summit" that has no prospect of moving toward peace?
Then maybe some day he'll go back to his roots and open with a stand-up act for another guitar "performance" by Blinken in that Kyiv neo-nazi pizza joint. They'll both likely be gone from power soon and will need a new gig.
I heard Gorbachev turning in his grave when he heard about the Zelenskyy comparison! 😂
Great read!
Maybe the historic judgement of Gorbachev will depend on how he will be related to the unprecedented cost in human lives, and the economic catastrophe, that followed after him. He could be a tragic fool, perhaps well meaning, who couldn´t grasp the forces he was setting loose and the disaster in their tails. Another judgement could be that he was the first great traitor, with Jeltsin as the second., of the nations and peoples he was supposed to govern.
And a reminder: Even though the cold war didn´t end up hot ( yet...?), the demographic and economic suffering for the the people in the remains of the Soviet Union were on parity with a great hot war.
Is this the “peace summit” that Joe Biden will not be attending because he has a fundraiser in Hollywood on that date?
Isn’t that like hosting a wedding but having the groom decline to attend?