Gorbachev urges Putin to step down

Vladimir Putin and former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev are seen in this October 2006 file photo at a conference in Dresden, Germany. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

MOSCOW — Mikhail Gorbachev, who resigned as Soviet president 20 years ago Sunday, has urged Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to follow his example and step down.

Gorbachev said if Putin stepped down now he would be remembered for the positive things he did during his 12 years in power.

The former Soviet leader spoke on Ekho Moskvy radio Saturday after a demonstration against Putin drew tens of thousands in Moscow.

It was the largest show of public outrage since the protests in 1991 that brought down the Soviet Union.

Largest protests yet in Moscow

The 80-year-old Gorbachev carries little weight in Russia today. And while many Russians have grown weary with Putin's rule, his opponents are split among numerous groups. They have no clear leader who could challenge Putin in the March presidential election.

People protest against the December 4 parliament elections in Moscow, on December 24, 2011. The poster depicting Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi features a quote by Lenin: "You go right way, comrades!"

(Credit: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP/Getty Images)

14 Comments +

Add a Comment

See all 14 Comments


by 4july December 25, 2011 4:28 PM EST: Occupy Kremlin. Putin sucks and a random bum would do better things for Russians then Putin's confused ass.; Reply to this comment


by Cynical_Politician December 25, 2011 11:15 AM EST: The significance of this news release is that viewers of different countries with different governments are seeing this through the lenses of THEIR homeland.

Also, many need to recall that Gorbachev resigned in an era when then defiant leader, Boris Yeltsin, already consolidated his power through a political process.

The USA needs to pay attention to the Russian political machine, because there is a similarity rising into plain form, especially after a Federal Supreme Court ruling empowered business with more rights than a US citizen when it comes to campaign contributions. Russia's Putin is a candidate supported by wealthy business.

Some argue that Russia is repeating its' own history with respect to post WW-II politics, were a revolution dis-empowered the establishment of wealthy business by blaming it for disastrous NAZI alliance that led to their homeland invasion.

Historians have a rich supply of warning signs to provide for any debate over the future of puppet governments operated under control of wealthy business.; Reply to this comment


by tvwatcher5345 December 25, 2011 9:43 AM EST: i think that the protesters are upset about putin being re-elected president again, because they do not an openly gay president like putin serving as president; Reply to this comment


by fjinnw2 December 25, 2011 8:28 AM EST: There is no one better than Putin to be President. or maybe someone can name one.; Reply to this comment


by fjinnw2 December 25, 2011 8:07 AM EST: There is no one better than Putin to be President. or maybe someone can name one.; Reply to this comment


by venusvegasvada December 24, 2011 10:24 PM EST: I think Putin would find life more rewarding and fullfilling by stepping down, becoming a steward like Gorby. That would show the world that Russia is truly evolving in the right direction. That's the way to go.; Reply to this comment


by cbsblogger December 24, 2011 7:39 PM EST: That's good advice from Gorby. Russians may have more liberty and less corruption than the new millennium global corporate version, post 9-11 of the USA.; Reply to this comment


by joesapper December 24, 2011 6:35 PM EST: i hope gorby comes to usa or canada and uses the phone next time, i heard russia after dark can be a bad place for people that speak out against putin. how many rich guys has putin put away again? answer every one that was pointing thier finger at him.; Reply to this comment


by antoniof123 December 24, 2011 4:44 PM EST: I swear I wish this country of mine would mind its own business just once.

Of course the wing nuts rule when America are you going to realize that wing nuts are just that to dumb to breath the air.; Reply to this comment

by roblearns December 24, 2011 4:36 PM EST

Americans don't understand democracy - sorry, but you don't.

In a democracy - the most popular candidate wins.

The fact that Putin doesn't have a popular opponent, kind of implies that he really is the legitimate leader - it is undisputed that he won the most votes for his current position (as prime minister).

And there is no reason to believe he won't win - yes, really win, by popular demand and as confirmed by independent polling - the next presidential election.

All the claims about irregularities in the last election - kind of make you think someone else won - well think again. United Russia clearly got the most votes.

Look, back to the U.S. for a moment, maybe Rick Perry and Newt Gingrich can get on the ballot in Virginia - but they'd have to break the law to do so, as it stands now, preventing candidates from ballot access is the norm in the U.S.

Reply to this comment


by ddal10 December 24, 2011 4:48 PM EST: Do many Russians even know that their are Protests? I was speaking to a Russian last night and he didn't know about it.


by thetruthisnottthere December 24, 2011 5:08 PM EST: You are full of crap.

The fact that Putin has no clear opposition is because of state oontrol,censoring etc. If Putin controls the media, he can manipulate it in any way he wants.

Americans (and the west) and their free media are free to challenge leadership. Do you remember the fiasco with Obama having to prove he was born in the US? Stupid as it was, it had democracy written all over it.