‘Too busy’ Putin snubs funeral of Gorbachev

THOUSANDS of Russians mourned former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev yesterday – but his funeral in Moscow was snubbed by Vladimir Putin.

Mr Gorbachev, 91, was buried next to his wife Raisa at the Novodevichy cemetery.

That followed a ceremony at the Pillar Hall of the House of the Unions, an opulent 18th Century mansion near the Kremlin.

On Thursday, Mr Putin privately laid flowers at Mr Gorbachev’s open coffin at the Moscow hospital where he died.

But the Kremlin said in advance that the President’s busy schedule would prevent him from attending the funeral.

Observers believe the failure to stage a state funeral was linked to the authorities’ unease about Mr Gorbachev’s legacy.

He was celebrated internationally and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end the Cold War.

But he had many critics at home over the Soviet collapse and economic meltdown that plunged millions into poverty.

Several foreign leaders attended the funeral including Hungarian premier Viktor Orban .

The British, US and German ambassadors also attended.