Last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will be laid to rest today in a Moscow ceremony, but without the fanfare of a state funeral and with the glaring absence of President Vladimir Putin.
With Russia isolated by its military campaign in Ukraine, few foreign leaders are expected to attend the relatively low-key affair to remember one of the great political figures of the 20th century.
Gorbachev – affectionately known in the West as Gorby – died on Tuesday at the age of 91 following a ‘serious and long illness’, the hospital where he was treated said.
Hundreds of mourners lined up to quietly file past Gorbachev’s open casket and laying red and white roses as it was flanked by honour guards under the Russian flag in Moscow’s historic Hall of Columns.
Hungarian president Viktor Orban was pictured at the ceremony this morning alongside Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev who both laid roses as they paid their respects.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to Russia John…
