Mikhail Gorbachev, Soviet leader who ended Cold War, dies at 91

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader who ended the Cold War, died on Tuesday at the age of 91.

Mikhail Gorbachev, who ended the Cold War without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, died on Tuesday at the age of 91, hospital officials in Moscow said.

Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with Western powers to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War Two and bring about the reunification of Germany.

"Mikhail Gorbachev passed away tonight after a serious and protracted disease," Russia's Central Clinical Hospital said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed "his deepest condolences" on Gorbachev's death, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax news agency.

"Tomorrow he will send a telegram of condolences to his family and friends," he said.

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Putin said in 2018 he would reverse the collapse of the Soviet Union if he could, news agencies reported at the time.