Russian Satellite News Agency reported on March 2 that Russian President Putin congratulated Gorbachev on his 90th birthday and called him an outstanding contemporary politician who has played a major role in the course of history. The congratulatory message was published on the Kremlin website.
"You deserve to be one of the most remarkable and extraordinary figures of a generation, an outstanding contemporary statesman who has had a major impact on the course of national and world history," the congratulatory message said. Putin added that Gorbachev's extensive professional and life experience, energy and creativity helped him participate in public and educational work and pay attention to the implementation of international humanitarian projects.
Gorbachev turned 90 on March 2. He was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, first as General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and then as President of the USSR. After the signing of the Belovezh Agreement in December 1991, Gorbachev announced his resignation as President of the Soviet Union.
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