Under the historic international leadership of former Soviet Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1990s, Eastern Soviet bloc countries were allowed to determine their own future. Most joined the other side, NATO.

The Berlin wall came down and communism crumbled under mass protests across Eastern Europe, as people demanded democracy.

The Soviet Union and US agreed on substantial nuclear arms control and weapons reductions.

Suddenly there was a new hope of peace. Communism prevailed in a few countries, namely China, Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia, but only under a vicious crackdown on dissent by ruthless regimes. Remember the killing fields of Cambodia and brutality of Tiananmen Square. Note the oppression of North Koreans by a mad dictator.

Perhaps hope and peace is an ideal, destined to ebb and flow like an elusive myth. The hope of Mikhail Gorbachev has been shattered by the thuggery of Vladimir Putin, an ex-KGB agent who wants the Russian bear to be murderous again.

Mr Putin is using the Ukraine to claw back the losses associated with the collapse of communism in Europe. Tragedies like Malaysian Flight MH17 are just collateral damage.

Similarly, and under the guise of a joint attack on Islamic State forces in Syria, Russian jets are bombing rebel forces opposing Syrian dictator Basharal-Assad, to preserve the oppressive Assad regime and build an alliance with Iran.

By his actions it is clear Mr Putin has no interest in the pursuit of peace, but the pursuit of Russian power and expansionism.

We can but lament the great leadership and vision of Mr Gorbachev, who ironically fell foul of the Russian old guard, as a weak leader who sold out his country and communism.

The UN should condemn President Putin and isolate his sinister adventurism.