Question

Similar to the Eastern European countries, Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev immediately accepted the Baltic countries’ (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) declaration of independence from the Soviet bloc in 1990. True or false?

Answer 1

This is false.

Step-by-step explanation:

Even a reform-minded leader of the Soviet Union as Mikhail Gorbachev (he was the party secretary-general and president, but not premier) could not happily agree with the disintegration of the Soviet Union and territorial losses.

He did not accept the proclamations of independence of the three Baltic republics in 1990, and Soviet central power declared them illegal. He started an economic blockade of Lituania, sent troops to occupy the TV Tower in Vilnius (Lithuania) and there were outbreaks of violence in spring and summer in the 3 republics. The failed coup against Gorbachev of August 1991 helped the cause of the three republics´ separation from the USSR. In September, many foreign countries started to recognize their independence.