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Category: Foreign Affairs

  • HM Queen Elizabeth II – List of State Visits (Inward)

    HM Queen Elizabeth II – List of State Visits (Inward)

    A list of State Visits taking place during the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022). This is the list of inward visits, held in the UK (the outward list is here).

    2019

    USA (United States of America)

    President Donald J. Trump and Mrs Melania Trump
    3-5 June 2019

    2018

    The Netherlands

    Their Majesties The King and Queen of the Netherlands
    23-24 October 2018

    2017

    Spain (the Kingdom of Spain)

    King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia
    12-15 July 2017

    2016

    Colombia

    President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón and Mrs María Clemencia Rodríguez de Santos
    1-3 November 2016

    2015

    China (the People’s Republic of China)

    President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan
    20-23 October 2016

    Mexico (the United Mexican States)

    President Enrique Pena Nieto and Señora Angélica Rivera de Peña
    3-5 March 2015

    2014

    Singapore (the Republic of Singapore)

    President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs. Tan Keng Yam
    21-24 October 2014

    Ireland (the Republic of Ireland)

    President Michael D. Higgins and Mrs. Sabina Higgins
    8-11 April 2014

    2013

    South Korea (the Republic of Korea)

    President Park Geun-hye
    5-7 November 2013

    UAE (United Arab Emirates)

    President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
    30 April – 1 May 2013

    2012

    Kuwait (the State of Kuwait)

    Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah
    27-29 November 2012

    Indonesia (the Republic of Indonesia)

    President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Mrs. Yudohoyono
    31 October – 2 November 2012

    2011

    Turkey

    President Abdullah Gül and Mrs. Gül
    22-24 November 2011

    USA (United States of America)

    President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama
    24-26 May 2011

    2010

    Qatar (the State of Qatar)

    Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser AlMissned
    26-28 November 2010

    South Africa (the Republic of South Africa)

    President Jacob Zuma and Mrs. Zuma
    3-5 March 2010

    2009

    India (the Republic of India)

    President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Dr. Devisingh Ramsingh Shekhawat
    27-29 October 2009

    Mexico (the United Mexican States)

    President Felipe Calderón and Señora Zavala
    30 March-2 April 2009

    2008

    France (the French Republic)

    President and Madame Nicolas Sarkozy
    26-27 March 2008

    2007

    Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

    King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud
    30 October-1 November 2007

    Ghana (the Republic of Ghana)

    President John Kufuor and Mrs. Kufuor
    13-15 March 2007

    2006

    Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil)

    President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senhora Lula da Silva
    7-9 March 2006

    2005

    China (the People’s Republic of China)

    President Hu Jintao and Madame Liu Yongqing
    8-10 November 2005

    Italy (the Italian Republic)

    President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Signora Ciampi
    15-18 March 2005

    2004

    South Korea (the Republic of Korea)

    President Roh Moo-hyun and Mrs. Roh Moo-hyun
    1-3 December 2004

    Poland (the Republic of Poland)

    President Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Mrs. Kwaśniewska
    5-7 May 2004

    2003

    USA (the United States of America)

    President George Bush and Mrs. Bush
    18-21 November 2003

    Russia (the Russian Federation)

    President Vladimir Putin and Mrs. Putina
    24-27 June 2003

    2001

    Jordan (the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

    King Abdullah II and Queen Rania
    6-9 November 2001

    South Africa (the Republic of South Africa)
    President Thabo Mbeki and Mrs. Mbeki
    12-15 June 2001

    2000

    Denmark

    Queen Margrethe II and Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark
    16-18 February 2000

    1999

    China (the People’s Republic of China)

    President Jiang Zemin and Madame Wang Yeping
    19-22 October 1999

    Hungary (the Republic of Hungary)

    President Árpád Göncz and Mrs. Göncz
    22-25 June 1999

    1998

    Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

    President Roman Herzog and Frau Herzog
    1-4 December 1998

    Japan

    Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
    26-29 May 1998

    1997

    Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil)

    President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Senhora Cardoso
    2-5 December 1997

    Israel (the State of Israel)

    President Ezer Weizman and Mrs. Weizman
    25-28 February 1997

    1996

    South Africa (the Republic of South Africa)

    President Nelson Mandela
    9-12 July 1996

    France (the French Republic)

    President Jacques Chirac and Madame Chirac
    14-17 May 1996

    1995

    Finland (the Republic of Finland)

    President Martti Ahtisaari and Madame Ahtisaari
    17-20 October 1995

    Kuwait (the State of Kuwait)

    Amir Shaikh Jabir al Ahmed Jabir al Sabah
    23-26 May 1995

    1994

    Norway

    King Harald V and Queen Sonja
    5-8 July 1994

    Zimbabwe (the Republic of Zimbabwe)

    President Robert Mugabe
    17-20 May 1994

    1993

    Malaysia

    The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and The Raja Permaisuri Agong
    9-12 November 1993

    Portugal (the Portuguese Republic)

    President Mário Soares and Senhora Soares
    27-30 April 1993

    1992

    Brunei Darassalam

    The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam and The Raja Isteri
    3-6 November 1992

    1991

    Egypt (the Arab Republic of Egypt)

    President Hosni Mubarak and Mrs. Mubarak
    23-26 July 1991

    Poland (the Republic of Poland)

    President Lech Walęsa and Mrs. Walęsa
    23-26 April 1991

    1990

    Italy (the Italian Republic)

    President Francesco Cossiga
    23-26 October 1990

    India (the Republic of India)

    President Ramaswamy Venkataraman and Shrimali Venkataraman
    3-6 April 1990

    1989

    Nigeria (the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

    President and Mrs. Babangida
    9-12 May 1989

    UAE (The United Arab Emirates)

    President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
    18-21 July 1989

    1988

    Senegal (the Republic of Senegal)

    President Abdou Diouf and Madame Diouf
    8-11 November 1988

    Turkey (the Republic of Turkey)

    President Kenan Evren
    12-15 July 1988

    Norway

    King Olav V
    12-15 April 1988

    1987

    Morocco (the Kingdom of Morocco)

    King Hassan II
    14-17 July 1987

    Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

    King Fahd
    24-27 March 1987

    1986

    Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

    President Richard von Weizsäcker and Freifrau von Weizsacker
    1-4 July 1986

    Spain (the Kingdom of Spain)

    King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia
    22-25 April 1986

    1985

    Qatar (the State of Qatar)

    Amir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani
    12-15 November 1985

    Mexico

    President Miguel de la Madrid and Señora de la Madrid
    11-14 June 1985

    Malawi (the Republic of Malawi)

    Life President Hastings Banda
    16-19 April 1985

    1984

    France (the French Republic)

    President François Mitterand and Madame Mitterand
    23-26 October 1984

    Bahrain(the State of Bahrain)

    Amir Shaikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa
    10-13 April 1984

    1983

    Zambia (the Republic of Zambia)

    President Kenneth Kaunda and Mrs. Kaunda
    22-25 March 1983

    1982

    Netherlands (the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

    Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus
    16-19 November 1982

    Oman (the State of Oman)

    Sultan Qaboos Bin Al Said
    16-19 March 1982

    1981

    Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

    King Khaled
    9-12 June 1981

    Nigeria (the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

    President Shehu Shagari
    17-20 March 1981

    1980

    Nepal (the Kingdom of Nepal)

    King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya
    18-21 November 1980

    1979

    Indonesia (the Republic of Indonesia)

    President Suharto and Madame Tien Soeharto
    13-16 November 1979

    Kenya (the Republic of Kenya)

    President Daniel Arap Moi
    12-15 June 1979

    1978

    Portugal (the Republic of Portugal)

    President António Eanes and Senhora Eanes
    14-17 November 1978

    Romania (the Socialist Republic of Romania)

    President Nicolae Ceauşescu and Madame Ceauşescu
    13-16 June 1978

    1976

    France (the French Republic)

    President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing and Madame d’Estaing
    22-25 June 1976

    Brazil (the Federative Republic of Brazil)

    President Ernesto Geisel and Senhora Geisel
    4-7 May 1976

    1975

    Tanzania (the United Republic of Tanzania)

    President Nyerere
    18-21 November 1975

    Sweden

    King Carl XVI Gustaf
    8-11 July 1975

    1974

    Malaysia

    The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and The Raja Permaisuri Agong
    9-12 July 1974

    Denmark

    Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik
    30 April – 3 May 1974

    1973

    Zaire (the Republic of Zaire)

    President Mobuto Sese Seko and Madame Mobutu
    11-14 December 1973

    Nigeria (the Federal Republic of Nigeria)

    Head of the Federal Military Government General Yakubu Gowon and Mrs. Gowon
    12-15 June 1973

    Mexico

    President Luis Echeverría and Señora de Echeverría
    3-6 April 1973

    1972

    Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

    President Gustav Heinemann and Frau Heinemann
    24-27 October 1972

    Luxembourg (the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

    Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte
    13-16 June 1972

    Netherlands (the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

    Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard
    11-15 June 1972

    1971

    Afghanistan

    King Mohammed Zahir Shah, Princess Bilquis and General Sardar Abdul Wali
    7-10 December 1971

    Japan

    Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako
    5-8 October 1971

    1969

    Finland (the Republic of Finland)

    President Urho Kekkonen and Madame Kekkonen
    15-20 July 1969

    Italy (the Italian Republic)

    President Saragat and Signora Santacatterina
    22-30 April 1969

    1967

    Turkey (the Republic of Turkey)

    President Cevdet Sunay and Madame Sunay
    1-8 November 1967

    Saudi Arabia (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

    King Faisal
    9-17 May 1967

    1966

    Pakistan (the Republic of Pakistan)

    President Ayub Khan
    17-25 November 1966

    Jordan (the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

    King Hussein and The Princess Muna al Hussein
    19-28 July 1966

    Austria (the Republic of Austria)

    Federal President Franz Jonas and Frau Jonas
    17-21 May 1966

    1965

    Chile

    President Eduardo Frei and Señora de Frei
    13-17 July 1965

    1964

    Sudan (the Republic of Sudan)

    President Ferik Ibrahim Abbood
    26 May – 4 June 1964

    1963

    Greece (Kingdom of the Hellenes)

    King Paul I and Queen Frederika
    9-12 July 1963

    India

    President Sarvepalli Radharkrishnan
    12-23 June 1963

    Belgium

    King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola
    14-17 May 1963

    Norway

    King Olav V
    16-19 October 1963

    1962

    Liberia (the Republic of Liberia)

    President Martin Tubman and Mrs. Tubman
    10-13 July 1962

    1960

    Nepal (the Kingdom of Nepal)

    King Mahendra and Queen Ratna
    17-20 October 1960

    Thailand (Kingdom of Thailand)

    King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit
    19-21 July 1960

    France (the French Republic)

    President Charles de Gaulle and Madame de Gaulle
    5-8 April 1960

    1959

    Iran

    The Shahanshah
    5-8 May 1959

    1958

    Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany)

    President Theodor Heuss
    21-23 October 1958

    Italy (the Italian Republic)

    President Giovanni Gronchi and Signora Gronchi
    13-16 May 1958

    1956

    Iraq

    King Feisal
    16-19 July 1956

    1955

    Portugal (the Portuguese Republic)

    President Francisco Craveiro Lopes and Madame Craveiro Lopes
    25-28 October 1955

    1954

    Ethiopia

    Emperor Haile Selassie
    14-16 October 1954

    Sweden

    King Gustaf VI Adolf and Queen Louise
    28 June-1 July 1954

  • Rehman Chishti – 2022 Statement on Jagtar Singh Johal

    Rehman Chishti – 2022 Statement on Jagtar Singh Johal

    The statement made by Rehman Chishti, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in the House of Commons on 7 September 2022.

    I am grateful to the hon. Member for asking the urgent question, and I pay tribute to his tenacious support for his constituent Mr Jagtar Singh Johal since his arrest in India in 2017. I appreciate what a difficult time this must be for Mr Johal’s family and friends. Again, I pay tribute to his Member of Parliament for all that he is doing for his constituent in these challenging circumstances.

    Consular assistance to British nationals overseas is the primary public service of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and a priority for the Foreign Secretary. Since Mr Johal’s arrest over four years ago, Ministers and officials have consistently raised our concerns about his welfare and treatment directly with the Government of India. With Mr Johal’s consent, this has included raising allegations of torture and mistreatment, and his right to a fair trial. The former Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson) raised Mr Johal’s case with Prime Minister Modi in April. The then Foreign Secretary raised Mr Johal’s case with the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Dr Jaishankar, most recently in Delhi on 31 March. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State with responsibility for south Asia and the Commonwealth, is also in regular contact with his counterparts across the Indian Government. Since 2017, Ministers and officials have raised Mr Johal’s detention on almost 100 occasions, and they will continue to do so.

    In May, the UN working group on arbitrary detention published its opinion that Mr Johal is arbitrarily detained. We take this seriously, and we are committed to doing what we can to assist Mr Johal. On 9 June, the then Foreign Secretary met the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Martin Docherty-Hughes) and Mr Johal’s brother Gurpreet to discuss this matter.

    In February this year, lawyers acting for Mr Johal issued a civil litigation claim against Her Majesty’s Government in the High Court. Last month, they detailed their allegations. We must let the legal process take its course, and I will therefore not comment on this matter, in line with long-established practice, as I am sure all Members will appreciate and as you, Madam Deputy Speaker, outlined before the start of the urgent question. I can assure the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire and the House that we will continue to do all we can to support Mr Johal and his family.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2022 Comments on G7 Statement on Russian Aggression

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2022 Comments on G7 Statement on Russian Aggression

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 2 September 2022.

    Since Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine the UK and our allies have imposed hugely damaging sanctions on the Kremlin war machine, pushing the Russian economy into a deep recession and putting the majority of Russia’s $640billion foreign exchange reserves beyond use.

    Following a productive meeting with Secretary Janet Yellen in Washington, and together with our G7 partners, we have agreed to go further. This has been a personal priority for me as Chancellor. We will curtail Putin’s capacity to fund his war from oil exports by banning services, such as insurance and the provision of finance, to vessels carrying Russian oil above an agreed price cap.

    We are united against this barbaric aggression and will do all we can to support Ukraine as they fight for sovereignty, democracy and freedom.

  • G7 Finance Ministers – 2022 Joint Statement on Russia’s War of Aggression against Ukraine

    G7 Finance Ministers – 2022 Joint Statement on Russia’s War of Aggression against Ukraine

    The joint statement made by the G7 Finance Ministers on 2 September 2022.

    We, the G7 Finance Ministers, met on 2 September 2022 to discuss our united response to Russia´s war of aggression against Ukraine and the war’s harmful impact on the global economy.

    We remain steadfast in our support for and solidarity with Ukraine. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    We continue to condemn the brutal, unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine by Russia and aided by Belarus. Russia´s war of aggression is causing global economic disruptions and is threatening the security of the global supply of energy and food. The economic costs of the war and consequent price increases are felt disproportionately by vulnerable groups across all economies and particularly by those countries already facing food insecurities and fiscal challenges.

    We underscore our shared commitment to our determined and coordinated sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s war of aggression, which are already having a considerable impact on the Russian economy. The cumulative impact of these measures on Russia will amplify over time and starkly deteriorate its economic potential. We remain committed to fully implementing and enforcing our sanctions and remain vigilant against sanctions evasion, circumvention and backfilling.

    At their summit in Elmau, G7 Leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to preventing Russia from profiting from its war of aggression, to supporting stability in global energy markets and to minimising negative economic spillovers, especially on low- and middle-income countries. To deliver on this commitment, today we confirm our joint political intention to finalise and implement a comprehensive prohibition of services which enable maritime transportation of Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products globally – the provision of such services would only be allowed if the oil and petroleum products are purchased at or below a price (“the price cap”) determined by the broad coalition of countries adhering to and implementing the price cap.

    The price cap is specifically designed to reduce Russian revenues and Russia´s ability to fund its war of aggression whilst limiting the impact of Russia´s war on global energy prices, particularly for low and middle-income countries, by only permitting service providers to continue to do business related to Russian seaborne oil and petroleum products sold at or below the price cap. This measure would thus build on and amplify the reach of existing sanctions, notably the EU´s sixth package of sanctions, ensuring coherence through a strong global framework.[1] We welcome the decision of the European Union to explore with international partners ways to curb rising energy prices, including the feasibility of introducing temporary import price caps.

    In line with our extensive and ongoing engagement with a diverse group of countries and key stakeholders, we invite all countries to provide input on the price cap´s design and to implement this important measure. We seek to establish a broad coalition in order to maximise effectiveness and urge all countries that still seek to import Russian oil and petroleum products to commit to doing so only at prices at or below the price cap. We reaffirm our own measures to phase out Russian oil and products from our domestic markets and underscore that the price cap measure aims to relieve pressure on global oil prices and support oil-importing countries globally by enabling continued access to Russian oil at or below the price cap for countries that continue such imports. The measure has the potential to be particularly beneficial to countries, notably vulnerable low- and middle-income countries, suffering from high energy and food prices, aggravated by Russia’s war of aggression. We will also develop targeted mitigation mechanisms alongside our restrictive measures to ensure that the most vulnerable and impacted countries maintain access to energy markets including from Russia.

    We commit to urgently work on the finalisation and implementation of this measure in our own jurisdictions through our respective domestic and legal processes and with our partners. We acknowledge that, for the EU, unanimity among the 27 EU Member States is required. We aim to align implementation with the timeline of related measures within the EU´s sixth sanctions package.

    The initial price cap will be set at a level based on a range of technical inputs and will be decided by the full coalition in advance of implementation in each jurisdiction. The price cap will be publicly communicated in a clear and transparent manner. The price cap´s effectiveness and impact will be closely monitored and the price level revisited as necessary.

    We envisage that practical implementation of the price cap will be based on a recordkeeping and attestation model covering all relevant types of contracts. We aim to ensure consistent implementation across jurisdictions. In implementation, we would aim to limit possibilities for circumventing the price cap regime, while at the same time minimising the administrative burden for market participants. With a view to final design and implementation, we will continue to engage with a diverse group of countries and stakeholders to enhance clarity and compliance and enable trade to continue to flow at or below the envisaged price cap. We envisage that the coalition establishes a cooperation framework across jurisdictions to ensure compliance and enable monitoring and supervision. Once operational, the coalition may consider further action to ensure the effectiveness of the price cap. The price cap measure will be reviewed and reconsidered when appropriate.

    In line with G7 Leaders´ commitments at Elmau, we continue to encourage oil-producing countries to increase their production to decrease volatility in energy markets, and in this context welcome OPEC’s recent decisions to increase output amid tight supply conditions. We call on them to continue action in this regard. We will increase coordination with partners committed to bolstering efficiency, stability and transparency in energy markets.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Statement Following the UN Human Rights Chief’s Report on Xinjiang

    Liz Truss – 2022 Statement Following the UN Human Rights Chief’s Report on Xinjiang

    The statement made by Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, on 1 September 2022.

    The report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights provides new evidence of the appalling extent of China’s efforts to silence and repress Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang.

    It includes harrowing evidence, including first-hand accounts from victims, that shames China in the eyes of the international community, including actions that may amount to crimes against humanity.

    This includes credible evidence of arbitrary and discriminatory detention, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, violations of reproductive rights, and the destruction of religious sites. UN Member States must now be given the opportunity to consider the report fully.

    The UK has already led international efforts to hold China to account at the UN, imposed sanctions on senior Chinese government officials, and announced measures to help ensure no UK organisations are complicit in these violations through their supply chains.

    We will continue to act with international partners to bring about a change in China’s actions, and immediately end its appalling human rights violations in Xinjiang.

  • Vicky Ford – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ethiopia

    Vicky Ford – 2022 Statement on the Situation in Ethiopia

    The statement made by Vicky Ford, the Minister for Africa, on 1 September 2022.

    The return to conflict between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian Government is catastrophic for the people of Ethiopia. This development risks tens of thousands of deaths – both directly through fighting, and indirectly through a further deepening of the already dire humanitarian situation. 22 months since fighting first began, it is clear that there is no military solution.

    The cessation of hostilities agreed in March 2022 created an opportunity to resolve this conflict politically and enable Ethiopia to return to sustained development and economic growth. The resumption of fighting makes the path to peace much more difficult. Tigrayan forces should immediately cease fighting in Amhara region and return to Tigray. Eritrean forces should leave Tigray. We remain confident that progress towards peace can be made if talks begin.

    The conflict in northern Ethiopia has contributed to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, leaving 13 million people in Tigray, Amhara and Afar requiring humanitarian assistance. Conflict, and the TPLF’s seizure of fuel from the World Food Programme, makes the work of humanitarian agencies more difficult. The UK urges all parties to the conflict to guarantee unfettered humanitarian access by immediately ceasing hostilities. The UK calls on the Ethiopian Government to urgently restore services to Tigray and the TPLF to enable the seized fuel to be used for aid distribution and critical services.

    Previous phases of the conflict were marked by terrible violations and abuses of human rights, including sexual violence. The UK will strongly support all efforts to ensure accountability for violations and abuses, including by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia. There have already been reports of airstrikes on Tigray by the Ethiopian Government resulting in civilian casualties, and of ethnically targeted arrests. It is the responsibility of all parties to the conflict to prioritise the protection of civilians, respect human rights and uphold International Humanitarian Law.

    The only way to resolve this conflict is to reinstate the cessation of hostilities and immediately begin political negotiations. We support the African Union’s mediation efforts to this end, and urge a redoubling of these efforts to avert further escalation.

  • Alistair Burt – 2022 Comments on Liz Truss Saying Jury out on French President

    Alistair Burt – 2022 Comments on Liz Truss Saying Jury out on French President

    The comments made by Alistair Burt on Twitter on 26 August 2022, following Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, saying that the “jury is still out” on whether Emmanuel Macron was a friend or foe of the UK.

    This is a desperately serious error, which the Foreign Secretary should take back. The better answer would have been ‘of course he and France are friends and allies, both in NATO and the cause of freedom: it doesn’t mean we don’t have our differences and need to talk honestly, as I will’.

  • Sir John Major – 2022 Comments on the Death of Mikhail Gorbachev

    Sir John Major – 2022 Comments on the Death of Mikhail Gorbachev

    The comments made by Sir John Major, the former Prime Minister, on 30 August 2022.

    Mikhail Gorbachev was the most remarkable figure in post-war Russia, and was instrumental in bringing the Cold War to a close.

    At the moment it was needed, he acted and spoke for peace, and stood on the right side of history.

  • Keir Starmer – 2022 Comments on the Death of Mikhail Gorbachev

    Keir Starmer – 2022 Comments on the Death of Mikhail Gorbachev

    The comments made by Keir Starmer on Twitter on 30 August 2022.

    One of the great figures of the 20th Century, Mikhail Gorbachev’s pursuit of reform forged a path for diplomacy over conflict.

    He will forever be remembered as the last leader of the Soviet Union who had the courage and conviction to end the Cold War.

  • Joe Biden – 2022 Statement on the Death of Mikhail Gorbachev

    Joe Biden – 2022 Statement on the Death of Mikhail Gorbachev

    The statement made by Joe Biden, the President of the United States, on 30 August 2022.

    Mikhail Gorbachev was a man of remarkable vision.

    When he came to power, the Cold War had gone on for nearly 40 years and communism for even longer, with devastating consequences. Few high-level Soviet officials had the courage to admit that things needed to change. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I saw him do that and more. As leader of the USSR, he worked with President Reagan to reduce our two countries’ nuclear arsenals, to the relief of people worldwide praying for an end to the nuclear arms race. After decades of brutal political repression, he embraced democratic reforms. He believed in glasnost and perestroika – openness and restructuring – not as mere slogans, but as the path forward for the people of the Soviet Union after so many years of isolation and deprivation.

    These were the acts of a rare leader – one with the imagination to see that a different future was possible and the courage to risk his entire career to achieve it. The result was a safer world and greater freedom for millions of people.

    Even years after leaving office, he was still deeply engaged. When Mr. Gorbachev visited the White House in 2009, he and I spoke for a long time about our countries’ ongoing work to reduce U.S. and Russian nuclear stockpiles. It was easy to see why so many worldwide held him in such high esteem.

    We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends, and to people everywhere who benefited from his belief in a better world.