GORBY WAS 'A MAN OF VISION

Biden pays tribute to Russian leader

- BEN GLAZE

MIKHAIL Gorbachev was hailed as "a man of remarkable vision" by Joe Biden yesterday for his efforts to bring global peace.

The US President led the West's praise for the former Russian leader in saying: "He worked with President Ronald Reagan to reduce our two countries' nuclear arsenals.

"After decades of brutal political repression, he embraced democratic reforms. The result was a safer world and greater freedom for millions."

But vengeful president Vladimir Putin is set to deny Gorbachev, who took power in 1985 before the Soviet Union fell in 1991, a state funeral.

The Moscow tyrant, who ordered his troops to invade Ukraine six months ago, holds the former USSR President responsible for what he has branded the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century".

Gorbachev died on Tuesday, aged 91, after a long illness.