Vladimir Putin has decided to snub the funeral of trailblazing former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, 91 as he is reportedly 'too busy' focusing on his illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Putin visited Gorbachev's coffin today (September 1) and was photographed placing flowers beside it.
This apparent act of kindness was overshadowed somewhat by Putin revealing not only would he not attend his funeral but that he would not be honoured with a state one.
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At the ceremony at the Central Clinical Hospital, Putin crossed himself and touched the coffin of the man he had a difficult relationship with.
Commenting on Putin's decision to snub the funeral, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The farewell ceremony and funeral will take place on September 3 but unfortunately the president's work schedule will not allow him (to attend)."
The Kremlin said there would be "elements of a state funeral, in the sense that there will naturally be a guard of honour and a farewell."
They added: "The state will be assisting in the organisation.”
Putin once called the collapse of the Soviet Union, which occurred under Gorbachev, the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century."
After his death, however, Putin said had he a "huge impact on the course of world history" in a telegram of condolence sent on Wednesday, August 31.
He added that Gorbachev "deeply understood that reforms were necessary".
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