Gorbachev made no personal comment publicly on the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, although his Gorbachev Foundation stated on 26 February that "[they] affirm the need for an early cessation of hostilities and immediate start of peace negotiations. There is nothing more precious in the world than human lives." At the end of July 2022, Gorbachev's close friend, journalist Alexei Venediktov, said that Gorbachev was very upset when he found out that Putin had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to Venediktov, Gorbachev believed that Putin "destroyed his life's work". Gorbachev's interpreter, Pavel Palazhchenko, also stated that Gorbachev was psychologically traumatized by the invasion in the months preceding his death.
gorbachev made no personal comment publicly on the 2022 russian invasion of ukraine although his gorbachev foundation stated on 26 february that "[they] affirm the need for an early cessation of hostilities and immediate start of peace negotiations there is nothing more precious in the world than human lives" at the end of july 2022 gorbachev's close friend journalist alexei venediktov said that gorbachev was very upset when he found out that putin had launched a full-scale invasion of ukraine according to venediktov gorbachev believed that putin "destroyed his life's work" gorbachev's interpreter pavel palazhchenko also stated that gorbachev was psychologically traumatized by the invasion in the months preceding his death