Russian President Vladimir Putin won’t attend Mikhail Gorbachev’s funeral due to his “work schedule”, according to the Kremlin.

Gorbachev was the last Soviet leader, and one of 20th century’s most important figures, and will be laid to Rest on Saturday.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said that the ceremony would include “elements”, such as a guard-of-honour, and that the government was supporting the organisation.

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According to Mr Peskov, Mr Putin paid respects at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow , where Mr Gorbachev had died on Tuesday.

He confirmed that the president would not attend the funeral.

Mr. Peskov stated that the president’s schedule would not permit him to complete this task on September 3. Therefore, he chose to do it today.

On Wednesday, Mr Putin paid tribute to Mr Gorbachev as a leader who made a “huge influence on the course and history of the world” and sought his “own solutions for urgent problems”.

In a statement, the Russian president stated that he had led his country through a time of dramatic, complex changes, large-scale foreign policies, economic, and social problems.

“He was deeply aware that reforms were needed, and he tried to find his own solutions for urgent problems.”

Putin also noted the “great humanitarian and charitable, educational activities” of Gorbachev during the years preceding his death at 91.

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Gorbachev is known for ending the Cold War with no bloodshed but failed to stop the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Putin famously called the fall of the Soviet Union the greatest geopolitical tragedy in the 20th century.

In the meantime, Gorbachev was vocally critical of Putin’s leadership style and openly supported a protest movement following fraud-tainted election in 2011.

Gorbachev also criticized the decision of Mr Putin to return to Moscow for a third term in 2012.

Russian President retorted by accusing the Soviet president of “abdicating power”.

One year later, Gorbachev stated about Russia and Putin that politics was more and more becoming an imitation of democracy. The president and the authorities hold all power.

“The economy has been monopolized. Corruption has reached colossal proportions.”

The West loves Mr Gorbachev, and Joe Biden paid tribute to him. He believed in a better world and significantly reduced the possibility of a third world conflict.

His legacy in Russia, however, is mixed. Many blame him for the widespread poverty that Russians experienced after the collapse of the Soviet Union.