Grigory Yavlinsky on political prisoners, the 95th anniversary of Mikhail Gorbachev’s birth, and the shared future of Russia and Europe

Zhivoi Gvozd YouTube channel, 2.03.2026

Watch the video on YouTube switching into English subtitles

Mikhail Gorbachev was born 95 years ago, a man who freed everyone in our country from fear and gave liberty not only to Soviet citizens but to many millions of people across Europe. How we made use of the real freedom he gave us is our own responsibility. Gorbachev achieved what no one before or after him was able to achieve: in six years in power, he brought about positive change not only in his own country but also exerted a promising influence on virtually the entire world.

Mikhail Gorbachev remained in Russia until his final day — he did not leave. This was despite the fact that life in his homeland was extraordinarily difficult for him, owing to a widespread failure to understand or accept him. Having undergone the test of supreme power, Gorbachev preserved his dignity and remained an honest and noble person. This is something today’s politicians are critically lacking.

One further thought. In the late 1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev began speaking of a Greater Europe model, proclaiming the concept of a “common European home” — from Lisbon to Vladivostok. Nearly four decades on, this vision, for all its contradictions and shortcomings, remains the only realistic way out of the chaos into which the entire world has been plunged, including Russia and Europe (see The Only Way Out for further detail).

———

Grigory Yavlinsky spoke about Mikhail Gorbachev and the shared future of Russia and Europe on the YouTube channel Zhivoy Gvozd on 28 February 2026.