Former Soviet leader Gorbachev critical of US attitude following Cold War

The last leader of the former Soviet Union has spoken of his disappointment that the United States did not offer more help in the aftermath of the Cold War to build a safer world.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Mikhail Gorbachev also commented on the much-anticipated entrance of Donald Trump to the White House at the beginning of next year, saying that his lack of experience in politics could be beneificial or detrimental for the country.

Gorbachev was a key figure in the thawing of tensions between the US and the Soviet Union which eventually led to the demise of the latter, but in the interview he lamented the country's actions as a wasted chance.

"They were rubbing their hands, saying, 'How nice! We had been trying to do something about the Soviet Union for decades, and it ate itself up!'" Gorbachev said.

He added that the US policy of "triumphalism" remains a key factor in the current frosty relationship between the two nations. Conflicts in Ukraine and Syria have been major contributors to the worsening of relations, but it appears incoming president Trump will seek to make amends with current Russian president Vladimir Putin.

He has little political experience, but, maybe, it's good," Gorbachev said of Trump. "The relations between us are so important and concern everyone else, so we must take the interests of others into account."