Mikhail Gorbachev Warns a New Cold War is on the Horizon

The world is on the brink of a new Cold War, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said today, according to the UK's Mirror.

He accused the West – particularly the US – of “triumphalism” over the collapse of the Communist bloc 25 years ago.

Gorbachev said the West should lift sanctions imposed on officials in Russia over its actions in eastern Ukraine.

He was speaking at an event marking the 25th ­anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Gorbachev's remarks coupled with the recent speech by Putin (SEE: The Speech That Every American Should Read) suggest that Russian leaders are getting fed up with the antics of US officials.

This is going to get interesting. The moves available to Russia to counter US agitation are limited but not zero.

The NYT, for example, reports today:

President Obama flies to Beijing on Sunday to renew efforts to refocus American foreign policy toward Asia. But when he lands, he will find the man who has done so much to frustrate him lately, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. “You are pivoting to Asia,” Russia’s ambassador to Washington said last week, “but we’re already there.” Mr. Obama is returning to Asia as Russia pulls closer to China, presenting a profound challenge to the United States and Europe. Estranged from the West over Ukraine, Mr. Putin will also be in Beijing this week as he seeks economic and political support, trying to upend the international order by fashioning a coalition to resist what both countries view as American arrogance.

-RW