Mikhail Gorbachev Congratulates U.S. President Baraсk Obama on His 50th Birthday

Dear Mr. President,

Please accept my sincere congratulations on your 50th birthday. This is perhaps the first real jubilee in a person’s life, and it has coincided with an important stage in your presidency.

At our very first meeting with you we agreed that serving in the highest office of the United States is a challenging mission requiring a profound understanding of the country and the world. The years since then have confirmed the complexity of the tasks you have to face. Your thoughtful and balanced approach to them inspires optimism.

I appreciate the seriousness and caution you have sought to project at a time of rapid change affecting a growing number of countries and regions. I hope that in the policies of the United States an understanding will prevail that supporting democratic processes and the yearning of nations for dignity must not be tantamount to imposing ready-made solutions.

I see and appreciate your close and positive attention to relations with Russia and your determination, together with the Russian leadership, to build cooperation and seek ways toward long-term partnership. I feel that in both our countries more and more people are becoming aware that together we shall be able better to respond to the challenges of the 21st century. It’s crucial not to allow the difficulties, that arise from time to time, to sway us from this path.

I wish you, Mr. President, good health, vigor and energy, and I add my wishes of well-being and happiness to your family.

With warmest regards and friendship

Mikhail Gorbachev

August 4, 2011

The original letter of congratulation (in Russian)