Gorbachev says Russia's problems stem from 'heavy legacy' & hopes for better 'trust' with Germany

MOSCOW, July 22 (UPI) -- Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev said this week that Russia's existing problems have arisen from the country's "heavy legacy." He also expressed great concern over the worsening ties between Russia and Germany, and urged the two countries to "re-establish trust."

"What concerns us most today is the relationship between Germany and Russia," the TASS news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying while during a book presentation by German politician Wilfried Scharnagl in Moscow and reported by PressTV. The two governments must "show wisdom and responsibility. [Russia] still cannot cope with the legacy that got her to the old days. Now it is important not to miss the moment to return to a position of trust... Everyone thought that Russia and Germany couldn't cooperate, [after the cold war] but they succeeded," Gorbachev added.

Gorbachev also said the United Nations should help to improve diplomatic relations between Russia and other countries.

On July 22, 1987, -- 28 years to the day -- then-Soviet leader Gorbachev said he favored the elimination of all intermediate-range nuclear missiles.

President Ronald Reagan and Gorbachev soon after signed off on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which eliminated that entire class of nuclear weapons in December, 1987.

Gorbachev's remarks came as diplomatic relations between Russia and the West are perceived to be at their lowest point since the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia declared strict embargoes on European products in response to economic sanctions, which were imposed on the country's elite -- perceived to Putin's cronies -- for the country's decision to annex the self-autonomous region of Crimea in 2014.