Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
MOTIONS
Mikhail Gorbachev—Former President, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): I seek leave to move a motion without notice to mark the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev.
SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: I move, That this House acknowledges the passing of the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, whose leadership was instrumental in peacefully ending the Cold War and promoting disarmament and democracy.
Mikhail Gorbachev was one of the 20th century’s most notable leaders and politicians. As General Secretary and as President, Mr Gorbachev brought strategic ambition and courage to his vision for the Soviet Union.
Mr Gorbachev came to power in 1985. At 54 he was seen as a young man in the role, and he followed a succession of elderly and fragile leaders. The Soviet economy was stagnant, and in 1984 he is reported to have said to his future Foreign Minister, “We cannot live this way any longer.” His polices of perestroika and glasnost to reform the USSR economy and society were radical in their attempts to reform the communist system. Mr Gorbachev was a man of purpose, determination, and resilience. The UN Secretary António Guterres has hailed Mr Gorbachev as having done more than any other individual to bring about the peaceful end of the Cold War.
Mr Gorbachev also faced significant foreign policy challenges, perhaps none greater than the threat of nuclear weapons. In his initial months in power, Gorbachev announced a unilateral freeze on deploying intermediate range missiles in Europe. Through engagement and dialogue, and with US President Reagan as a partner, he offered a different view of the world’s future, amplified by this statement “A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” Gorbachev’s relentless efforts on nuclear disarmament and arms control reminds us of what is possible and can be achieved, even in times of conflict of heightened tensions. Mr Gorbachev understood the counterbalance required to preserve stability.
I want to be clear: the promise of reform under Mr Gorbachev does not match the realities of what we are seeing in Russia today. The New Zealand Government continues to condemn Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. This is a breach of international law where innocent lives are being lost.
As we mark the passing of Mr Gorbachev, it is concerning to see Russia ignoring the lessons on his legacy, including a new threat of nuclear disaster at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. With this in mind it’s fitting to end with Mr Gorbachev’s own words: “There will be no winner in a war of all against all, particularly if it ends in a nuclear war. Faced with this dire threat to peace, we are not helpless. We must not resign. We must not surrender”.
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SPEAKER: The question is that the motion be agreed to.
