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Gorbachev warns of risk of armed conflict in new Cold War

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The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Friday accused the United States of drawing Russia into a new Cold War and said he feared hostilities could escalate into armed conflict.

The United States "has already drawn us into a new Cold War, trying openly to achieve its main idea of triumphalism," Gorbachev said in an interview with the Interfax news agency.

Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lysychansk di...
Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lysychansk district of the Lugansk region that is controlled by pro-Russian separatists, on January 28, 2015
Anatolii Boiko, AFP

"Where will that lead all of us? A Cold War is already being waged openly. What's next?" asked the 83-year-old former Soviet president who during his time in power eased relations with the West but is vilified in Russia for allowing the breakup of the USSR.

"Unfortunately I cannot say for sure that a Cold War won't lead to a 'hot' one. I fear they could take the risk," Gorbachev said, apparently referring to the United States.

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev -- seen here in Moscow on November 20  2014 -- has urged t...
Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev -- seen here in Moscow on November 20, 2014 -- has urged the world to accept the annexation of Crimea by Russia for correcting a historic mistake
Vasily Maximov, AFP/File

Gorbachev in November last year warned that the world was "on the brink of a new Cold War."

In his latest comments, Gorbachev criticised the West for imposing sanctions on Russia.

"All you hear is about sanctions towards Russia from America and the European Union. Have they totally lost their heads?" Gorbachev asked.

In December last year, Gorbachev in an article urged the US and the EU to "defrost relations" with Russia.

Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lugansk regio...
Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lugansk region, on January 28, 2015
Anatolii Boiko, AFP

Gorbachev in the past has harshly criticised President Vladimir Putin for an "imitation" of democracy. But recently he has backed the Kremlin line, saying that the world should welcome the annexation of Crimea by Russia for correcting a historic mistake.

The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Friday accused the United States of drawing Russia into a new Cold War and said he feared hostilities could escalate into armed conflict.

The United States “has already drawn us into a new Cold War, trying openly to achieve its main idea of triumphalism,” Gorbachev said in an interview with the Interfax news agency.

Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lysychansk di...

Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lysychansk district of the Lugansk region that is controlled by pro-Russian separatists, on January 28, 2015
Anatolii Boiko, AFP

“Where will that lead all of us? A Cold War is already being waged openly. What’s next?” asked the 83-year-old former Soviet president who during his time in power eased relations with the West but is vilified in Russia for allowing the breakup of the USSR.

“Unfortunately I cannot say for sure that a Cold War won’t lead to a ‘hot’ one. I fear they could take the risk,” Gorbachev said, apparently referring to the United States.

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev -- seen here in Moscow on November 20  2014 -- has urged t...

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev — seen here in Moscow on November 20, 2014 — has urged the world to accept the annexation of Crimea by Russia for correcting a historic mistake
Vasily Maximov, AFP/File

Gorbachev in November last year warned that the world was “on the brink of a new Cold War.”

In his latest comments, Gorbachev criticised the West for imposing sanctions on Russia.

“All you hear is about sanctions towards Russia from America and the European Union. Have they totally lost their heads?” Gorbachev asked.

In December last year, Gorbachev in an article urged the US and the EU to “defrost relations” with Russia.

Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lugansk regio...

Ukrainian servicemen of the Donbass volunteer battalion take part in operations in the Lugansk region, on January 28, 2015
Anatolii Boiko, AFP

Gorbachev in the past has harshly criticised President Vladimir Putin for an “imitation” of democracy. But recently he has backed the Kremlin line, saying that the world should welcome the annexation of Crimea by Russia for correcting a historic mistake.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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