Gorbachev calls on Russia, West to find way out of 'global chaos'

Moscow, March 20 (IANS/TASS) Former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev is convinced that Russia can and should make its contribution to overcome the current "global chaos".

"I am convinced that a search for the way out of the deadlock in which the Russian and world politics have found themselves in will be successful only on the path of democracy. In short, we need to democratise the political life in Russia and our international relations," Gorbachev wrote in an article in the Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily on Friday.

Gorbachev remembered the reforms which he had started 30 years ago. According to him, his policy of "perestroika" brought deep changes into the minds of people and made the country's return to the past impossible. For the Russians, that meant, first and foremost, political freedom and human rights as well as denunciation of "ideological prejudgment" in foreign policy. At the same time, Gorbachev went on to say, the country's desire to integrate into global politics and economy remained urgent.

"The past years have seen frustration and backward motion. Many things continue arousing our concern but I am convinced that no one can take the gains of perestroika away from our people," the former Soviet leader said.

The Ukraine crisis is not the only source of concern for Gorbachev. "It is not the time for reciprocal accusations and manoeuvres directed at proclaiming victory in the conflict to which there is no military solution and in which there will be no winners. It is important to support any constructive steps, any manifestations of a more responsible approach, which could lead to peace," the ex-Soviet president stressed.

Gorbachev admitted that his experience in "perestroika" and foreign policy based on a "new thinking" could not provide ready-made recipes for the solution of contemporary problems. At the same time, he is convinced that none of the challenges which humanity is facing today could be solved by the efforts of one or even a group of countries.

"None of these problems has a military solution. The present generation of world leaders should understand... and act accordingly," the politician stressed.

"Russia can make a considerable contribution to overcoming the current 'global chaos'. The West should understand that. No attempts to isolate or ignore Russia will succeed," the former Soviet president wrote.

Gorbachev said he was sure that Russia would be able to get over the current period of economic hardships. At the same time, he believes that it is necessary to carry out a serious and sober analysis of their causes.

"Despite the current international difficulties and the unfavourable foreign economic situation, we should admit that the crisis in economy and urgent social problems is something that we ourselves have created and for that we are responsible. Therefore, we ourselves should find a solution. No matter how sharp and thorny our economic woes could be, we should understand that politics rather than economy is the root cause of everything," Gorbachev said

"I am convinced that a search for the way out of the deadlock in which the Russian and world politics have found themselves will be successful only on the path of democracy. In short, we need to democratize the political life in Russia and our international relations," the former Soviet president concluded.

--IANS/TASS

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