Gorbachov: Danger of Nuclear War Over Ukraine

Mikhail Gorbachov, the last leader of the Soviet Union, warned, in an interview published by Germany’s Der Spiegel, yesterday, that the U.S.-Russia confrontation over Ukraine could lead to a major war. “Such a war today would inevitably turn into a nuclear war. If someone loses their nerve because of the acrimonious atmosphere, we will not survive the coming year,” he said. “I do not say this lightly. This is of truly the utmost concern to me.”

This is just the latest of Gorbachov’s high-profile warnings of the potential consequences of British/NATO policy toward Russia—which have been echoed recently by top members of the political class in Germany, France, and Italy.

Gorbachov decried the “loss of trust” between Russia and the West as “catastrophic,” and said ties must be “defrosted.” He, Gorbachov, accused the West and NATO of destroying the structure of European security by expanding its alliance. “No head of the Kremlin can ignore such a thing,” he said, adding that the U.S. was unfortunately starting to establish a “mega empire.”

Gorbachov also blasted the role of Germany in the current crisis and, in doing so, reminded it of its own history. “The new Germany wants its hands in every pie. There seems to be a lot of people who want to be involved in a new division of Europe,” he said. “Germany has already tried to expand its influence of power towards the East — in World War II. Does it really need another lesson?”

Gorbachov also denounced the U.S. sanctions against Russia as “damn stupid and highly dangerous.”