The world is at a 'dangerous point' because of rising tensions between Russia and the US, warns former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev 

  • Mikhail Gorbachev has described the world as being at a 'dangerous point'
  • Comes amid rising tensions between Russia and United States over Syria 
  • He also says the two countries abandoning talks was the 'biggest mistake' 
  • Relations between the two countries are at their lowest since the Cold War 

By Afp Reporter and Jennifer Newton for MailOnline

Published: 04:07 EST, 10 October 2016 | Updated: 09:19 EST, 10 October 2016

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has warned that the world is at a 'dangerous point' due to rising tensions between Russia and the US over Syria.

Relations between the two countries are at their lowest since the Cold War and have soured in recent days after Washington pulled the plug on Syria talks and accused Russia of hacking attacks.

Meanwhile the Kremlin has suspended a series of nuclear pacts, including a symbolic cooperation deal to cut stocks of weapons-grade plutonium.

 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who has warned that the world is at a 'dangerous point' due to rising tensions between Russia and the US over Syria

 Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who has warned that the world is at a 'dangerous point' due to rising tensions between Russia and the US over Syria

And now Mr Gorbachev, who oversaw an easing of tensions with the West that helped to end the Cold War in the early 90s, has voiced his concern.

The 85-year-old told state news agency RIA Novosti: 'I think the world has reached a dangerous point.

'I don't want to give any concrete prescriptions but I do want to say that this needs to stop. We need to renew dialogue. Stopping it was the biggest mistake.'

'It is necessary to return to the main priorities. These are nuclear disarmament, the fight against terrorism, the prevention of an environmental disaster.

'Compared to these challenges, all the rest slips into the background.'

Mr Gorbachev's comments come as France has said they will ask the International Criminal Court's prosecutor to launch an investigation into war crimes it says have been committed by Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo, pictured

Mr Gorbachev's comments come as France has said they will ask the International Criminal Court's prosecutor to launch an investigation into war crimes it says have been committed by Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo, pictured

It is unclear how the International Criminal Court could proceed given that the court has no jurisdiction for crimes in Syria because it is not a member. Pictured is Aleppo 

It is unclear how the International Criminal Court could proceed given that the court has no jurisdiction for crimes in Syria because it is not a member. Pictured is Aleppo 

Mr Gorbachev's comments come as France has said they will ask the International Criminal Court's prosecutor to launch an investigation into war crimes it says have been committed by Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo.

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, speaking after a French-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria was vetoed at the weekend by Russia, also said President Francois Hollande would not welcome his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later this month to just trade 'pleasantries'.

The call follows the one last week by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who also wants a war crimes investigation.

John Kerry
Vladimir Putin

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, also wants a war crimes investigation but the spokespeople of Vladimir Putin, right, have strenuously denied this 

It is unclear how the International Criminal Court could proceed given that the court has no jurisdiction for crimes in Syria because it is not a member.

It appears the only way for the case to make it to the ICC would be through the U.N. Security Council referral, which has been deadlocked over Syria. 

Moscow vetoed a French resolution in May 2014 to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC.

But Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said: 'It is very dangerous to play with such words because war crimes also weigh on the shoulders of American officials.'

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