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(Reuters) - Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev called on Wednesday for a U.S.-Russia summit to be convened to prevent a deep freeze in Moscow's relations with the West over the Ukrainecrisis.
"This is extremely dangerous, with tensions as high as they are now. We may not live through these days: someone could lose their nerve," he wrote in a commentary entitled "To unfreeze relations" for government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
"I suggest the leaders of Russia and the United States think about holding a summit with a broad agenda, without preliminary conditions," he wrote. "One needn't be afraid of 'losing face', that someone will gain a propaganda victory: this should all belong to the past. One needs to think about the future."
"Judging by recent statements, diplomats on both sides are bracing for long-term confrontation," wrote Gorbachev, who is widely respected abroad but has few backers in Russia.
Read more @: Gorbachev calls for U.S.-Russia summit to defrost ties
Good ol Gorby. Many times the voice of reason in the international sphere. I will stand behind his statements. I do believe Russia and the US need to sit down with a broad agenda. I think it should cover everything from Ukraine, Russia roll in Eastern Europe, sanctions, economic influence, the US roll in Eastern Europe, etc.