By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev stressed the importance of good relations between Germany and Russia, in a speech on Friday.

“We have learned from the history that it is critical for Germans and Russians understand each other and to maintain good relations,” the last leader of the Soviet Union said during a visit to Berlin to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Relations between Germany and Russia have been strained recently due to Russia's annexation of Crimea and Kremlin’s policies towards Ukraine.

Ahead of his visit to Berlin, Gorbachev told media that he would defend the policies of the Russian President Vladimir Putin during his talks in Berlin.

Gorbachev is a highly respected politician in Germany, remembered for his decision to refrain from using force in 1989 at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall. He did not interfere with the unification of Germany.

Gorbachev is set to participate at the official ceremony on Sunday to mark the 25th anniversary of Berlin Wall’s fall.

On Friday, Gorbachev opened a special exhibition, “Black Box Cold War,” in one of Berlin’s most known historical sites, Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin. 

Hundreds of people gathered at the site to see and take photos of the 83-year-old Gorbachev.

The former Soviet leader said that he was impressed by the new Berlin, compared with what he saw in 1966, a city which was still struggling to rebuild after a bloody war.

He praised efforts in late 90’s that enabled the fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequently good relations between Germany and Russia.

“I am also a little proud of myself for making a little contribution to that,” Gorbachev said. 

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