Mikhail Gorbachev: ‘World Is Preparing for War’

Mikhail Gorbachev: ‘World Is Preparing for War’
Former leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev takes part in the celebration on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 9, 2014. (AP Photo/dpa, Bernd von Jutrczenka)
Jack Phillips
1/27/2017
Updated:
1/28/2017

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev issued a warning about the current state of world affairs.

In a piece for Time magazine, Gorbachev, who was head of the Soviet Union when it collapsed in 1991, wrote: “[N]o problem is more urgent today than the militarization of politics and the new arms race. Stopping and reversing this ruinous race must be our top priority.”

“The current situation is too dangerous,” he added.

Specifically, he mentioned nuclear proliferation, urging world leaders to stop it.

“While state budgets are struggling to fund people’s essential social needs, military spending is growing. Money is easily found for sophisticated weapons whose destructive power is comparable to that of the weapons of mass destruction; for submarines whose single salvo is capable of devastating half a continent; for missile defense systems that undermine strategic stability,” he wrote.

“More troops, tanks and armored personnel carriers are being brought to Europe,” he wrote. “NATO and Russian forces and weapons that used to be deployed at a distance are now placed closer to each other, as if to shoot point-blank.”

The 85-year-old ex-head of state noted that it appears that another world war might be on the horizon.

“Politicians and military leaders sound increasingly belligerent and defense doctrines more dangerous. Commentators and TV personalities are joining the bellicose chorus. It all looks as if the world is preparing for war,” added the former communist leader, who was famously told by President Ronald Reagan to “tear down this wall.”

He called on the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution saying that nuclear war is “unacceptable” and “must never” be fought. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin should lead the calls pushing for it, he argued.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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