Why didn't Gorbachev go back to Russia?

On the evening of August 30, 2022, former Soviet leader Gorbachev died at the Russian Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow. He personally ended an era and finally died. Gorbachev's death also marked the official end of an era. So, how many Russians still miss the Soviet era since the disintegration of the Soviet Union? I believe many netizens are very concerned about this issue.

US President Biden said, "Gorbachev is a man with extraordinary vision", which I am afraid even Gorbachev himself can't agree. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said, "Mr. Gorbachev made a positive contribution to the normalization of Sino-Soviet relations, and we express our condolences for his death." It is indeed understandable to evaluate from the standpoint of the development of Sino-Soviet relations. In fact, the whole world is waiting for the attitude of the current Russian President Putin. 1 September, Putin told the world with a series of detailed actions such as stroking the coffin and bowing deeply. Gorbachev is still respected by Russians.

However, on 20 14, the American magazine Newsweek also revealed that Putin's monologue to his subordinates was "Gorbachev is the biggest criminal in Russian history". What makes Putin and Russians feel so complicated and contradictory about Gorbachev? In fact, from the standpoint of the Russian nation, we can understand it.

First of all, there would be no Russia today without the weak Gorbachev. Apart from internal rigidity and external infiltration by western ideology, the biggest problem in the disintegration of the Soviet Union is that ethnic contradictions have not been properly handled, because the result of the disintegration of the Soviet Union is that various countries based on major ethnic groups have finally formed, the largest of which is Russia. The Russian nation's dissatisfaction with the Soviet era itself is mainly due to the planned economic system of the Soviet Union, which led to the average living standard of Russians themselves. Politicians are also full of people of other nationalities. This dissatisfaction led to the hope of Russian national independence exceeding the need of maintaining national alliance, so Yeltsin's timely rise gave the Soviet Union a final blow. Generally speaking, Russians are satisfied with the independence of their country, and even if they are not satisfied, they will throw the pot to the Soviet Union. For example, Putin criticized the Soviet era many times in his war speech to Ukraine, and the criticism was worthless. This is a direct manifestation of the basic attitude of Russians towards the Soviet Union. Imagine that if Gorbachev was not so weak at that time, but a Stalinist figure, then Russia could not succeed in independence, Yeltsin and Putin certainly could not become Russian heads of state, and Putin could not deny Russia's independence, but it would indirectly deny the legitimacy of the current Russian government. Then, Putin naturally has to show respect for Gorbachev and his release of the "Russian founder".

Secondly, Gorbachev did cause the disaster in Russia. Although Russia doesn't like the Soviet Union, it has always regarded itself as the successor of the Soviet Union. From Russia's point of view, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and the Baltic Sea are all "homeland of the motherland", while countries including Poland, East Germany and Romania are all within their sphere of influence. If Gorbachev can stop the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Russia will be several times stronger now, and the strength of Warsaw Pact can also compete with NATO. It is precisely because of Gorbachev's weakness and blind superstition of the west that Russia not only lost a lot of territory, but also suffered a crushing defeat in the subsequent economic reform, which was difficult to recover for a long time. Especially the present conflict between Russia and Ukraine is the sequela of the disintegration of the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has shed too much blood. Isn't Gorbachev the culprit of all this? Putin said he was a sinner.

In the final analysis, what Putin wants is a complete Russia that inherits everything from the Soviet Union. There are not many people in Russia who want to return to the Soviet era, but there are almost no people who don't miss the Soviet era. This is the true psychological portrayal of modern Russians. Putin needs to maintain the legitimacy of the birth of the Russian state internally and continue to restore the influence boundary of the Soviet Union externally, which naturally creates his complex feelings and mentality towards Gorbachev.