The final leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev - a pivotal figure in ending the Cold War - has died aged 91 after a long illness.
He's known for opening up the USSR and for improving relations with the West, but he was unable to prevent his country collapsing in 1991.
He more recently became a vocal critic of the current president Vladimir Putin, and lobbied for democratic reform in Russia.
He was seen by many in the West as a champion of reform, but in Russia - as the man who oversaw the demise of an empire.
Otago University associate professor Jim Headley spoke to Max Towle about his legacy.
