Putin lashes out at Gorbachev for disintegration of the USSR

According to the Russian premier, "had to fight for the territorial integrity of our state more persistent, consistent and bold."

 

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin , today criticized former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev , for 20 years to allow the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). "We had to fight for the territorial integrity of our state more insistent, consistent, daring, and not bury our heads in the sand, leaving the ass in the air , "Putin was quoted by Russian news agencies. He added that "had to be released in time the economic reform in the Soviet Union and strengthen the democratic restructuring in the country." And he stressed that the situation in Russia in the late 90s of last century "was much more dramatic than in the last years of the USSR. " "The economy had collapsed as a result of the crisis of 98, the social sphere was zero and the army ceased to exist. And we come to the aggression of international terrorism, separatism and civil war broke out. And Russia was on the brink of disintegration, "he said. Then he added: "And you know what I started doing to preserve the integrity of the Russian Federation."

Since the disputed parliamentary elections on December 4 that were marred by numerous allegations of fraud ruling Gorbachev has been unusually critical of the Russian authorities. "The best step by the authorities would submit his resignation," he said told the radio station "Echo of Moscow." He also told Interfax that "the country’s leaders must recognize that there were numerous counterfeits and fraud, and that the results do not reflect the will of the voters. " Gorbachev called the Kremlin and the government to accept demands to annul the election results and hold new legislative elections, and warned that, otherwise, the opposition could use undemocratic methods. The Soviet republics of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus signed the death certificate of the USSR to sign the December 8, 1991 Bielovezhskaya Pushcha agreement. "The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has ceased to exist as a subject of international law, "read the document. The Soviet empire disappeared for the December 25, 1991, when Gorbachev admitted in a television address to the USSR. Then, the flag of the Soviet hammer and sickle was lowered at the Kremlin and a half hour later, hoisted tricolor of the Russian Federation.