Prominent political figures in Russia paid tribute to the late Henry Kissinger following the announcement of his passing on Wednesday.
In a statement released from The Kremlin on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed admiration for the former U.S. politician. Putin commended the German-born American diplomat, academic, and presidential adviser, who served as secretary of state for two presidents, as an “outstanding diplomat, a wise and far-sighted statesman.”
“For many decades, he enjoyed a well-deserved reputation around the world,” Putin remarked about Kissinger. The Russian President highlighted Kissinger’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy, noting how he played a pivotal role in achieving détente amid international tension and forging crucial Soviet-American agreements that contributed to global security during the Cold War era.
“Détente,” a French term meaning “relaxation,” refers to efforts to ease tensions between Western allies and the Soviet Union.
Putin’s sentiments were echoed by his predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev, who also paid tribute to the former secretary of state. Medvedev, in a social media post on Thursday, acknowledged Kissinger’s faithful service to his country over the years. He characterized Kissinger as a pragmatist who considered realities rather than blindly adhering to U.S. foreign policy doctrines.
Medvedev lamented the absence of figures like Kissinger in the current U.S. Administration and the Western world, concluding his post with a respectful “RIP.”
Henry Kissinger is survived by his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1974, and two children, David and Elizabeth, from his first marriage.
