George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev communicated two hours before Gorbachev left office

Rick Wilking/Reuters George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow in July 1991.

WASHINGTON — Less than two hours before announcing his resignation as Soviet president on Dec. 25, 1991, Mikhail S. Gorbachev addressed U.S. President George H.W. Bush HW Bush, who was spending Christmas with his grandchildren at Camp David.

The Soviet Union was clearly heading for disintegration in the previous weeks: Ukraine voted for independence in a referendum, and other Soviet republics are doing the same. Boris N. Yeltsin is on the rise as a rising star, determined to get rid of “Centre” and Gorbachev.

Bush and Gorbachev have been working together to avoid a bloody Soviet collapse and to resolve conflicts in the Middle East and beyond. The two began conversations as early as 1987 when Bush was vice president, and in the process they built trust and became acquainted.

Here is their last conversation as leaders of the two superpowers — now partners rather than rivals in the Cold War. The warmth and admiration between the two is evident, as is the pride they feel for having accomplished so much together.

Speaking of the future, Gorbachev appeared noble and statesmanlike, asking Bush to support Yeltsin and Russia's reforms and help separate the former Soviet republics without further fragmentation. Gorbachev expressed his determination to support Yeltsin - even though the latter was a major cause of the collapse of the Soviet Union - and to remain active in political life. He also told Bush how much he valued "our cooperation, our partnership and our friendship." Bush expressed praise and affection. This unprecedented partnership drove the change in the world that Bush would never forget.

George H.W. Bush: Hello, Mikhail.

Mikhail S. Gorbachev: George, my dear friend. Nice to hear from you.

GB: I would like to greet you on this momentous and historic day. Glad you could call.

MG: Let me start with something that makes you happy: Merry Christmas to you, Barbara and your family. I've been thinking about when to release my statement, whether it's Tuesday or today. Towards the end of the day, I finally decided to do it today. So let me start by saying Merry Christmas and best wishes to you.

That's right, I want to tell you that in about two hours I'll be speaking on TV in Moscow with a brief statement about my decision. I have sent you a letter, George. I hope you will receive it soon. In my letter I said something very important. I want to reiterate to you that from your time as Vice President and later as President of the United States, I valued very much what I did with you. I hope the leaders of all the countries of the Commonwealth, especially the leaders of Russia, will understand what kind of assets have accumulated between the leaders of our two great powers. I want them to understand that it is their responsibility to preserve and expand this important source of capital.

The debate within our alliance over what kind of country should be created has deviated from what I think is the right track. But I would say that I will use my political authority and role to make sure this new coalition does its job. I am pleased that the leaders of the Commonwealth member states have reached an important nuclear weapons and strategic agreement in Almaty. I hope that in Minsk they can reach a resolution on other issues to ensure a set of cooperation mechanisms between the republics.

George, I want to tell you something that I think is very important.

GB: OK.

MG: It is certainly necessary to announce the recognition of all these countries. But I want you to keep in mind that the process of separation and destruction does not deteriorate further and is vital to the future of the Commonwealth. Therefore, it is our common responsibility to promote cooperation between the republics. I would love to stress this point with you.

Now on to Russia - the second most important topic in our conversation. On my desk is a Soviet presidential decree announcing my resignation. I will also resign as commander-in-chief and transfer the power to use nuclear weapons to the president of the Russian Federation. So I'm continuing the business until the constitutional process is complete. I can assure you that everything is under strict control. These decrees will go into effect as soon as I announce my resignation. There will be no gaps in between. You can have a very peaceful Christmas Eve. Regarding Russia, I would also like to say that we should all do our best to support it. I will support Russia. But so should our partners, who should play a role in helping and supporting Russia.

As for myself, I have no intention of retreating into the mountains. I will remain politically active. The main purpose here is to advance the process opened by reforms and new ideas in world affairs. Your people and the media here are asking about my personal relationship with you. At this historic time, I want you to know that I greatly value our collaboration, our partnership and our friendship. Our roles may change, but I want to assure you that our camaraderie will not. Raisa and I send our best wishes to you and Barbara.

GB: Mikhail, first of all I want to say, I'm very grateful for your call. I have listened to your words with great interest. We will continue to be involved, especially in the Russian Republic, whose myriad problems are likely to worsen this winter. I'm glad you don't plan to go into the mountains and continue to be politically active. I am very confident that this will benefit this new consortium.

I wrote you a letter and sent it today. In it I express the firm belief that what you do will endure forever and be fully appreciated by historians.

I appreciate your remarks about nuclear 1 weapons — which are of great international importance — and appreciate the important process that you and the leaders of the republics have advanced. I also note in particular that the constitutional responsibility for this issue has been transferred to Boris Yeltsin. I assure you that we will have good cooperation on this issue.

And then, Mikhail, I would like to say a few words on a personal level. I saw your wonderful and firm statement about your relationship with me and with Jim Baker. I'm so grateful for that because that's exactly how I feel. Barbara and I were at Camp David with our three children and grandchildren when you called. One of my kids is in Florida and the other is in Virginia with family.

The bunker where you threw the horseshoe is still intact. This reminds me that, in my letter to you, I said that I hope we will have a chance to meet again soon. You are very welcome to the United States. Maybe we can even meet at Camp David when you've settled your business. Our friendship will remain the same and will remain so as events unfold. There is no doubt about this.

Of course, I deal with the leaders of the Russian and other republics with respect and candor. We will move forward with recognition and respect for each other's sovereignty. We will work with them on a variety of issues. No one can get in the way of my desire to stay in touch with you, and I welcome your advice in whatever new role you may take on. But I do hope that this friendship will not be affected, and Barbara and I value it very, very much.

So at this special historic moment, we salute you and thank you for your contribution to world peace. thank you very much.

MG: Thank you, George. I am very happy to hear this today. I'm going to shake your hand and say goodbye. You have told me many important things, and I am grateful.

GB: I wish you all the best, Mikhail.

MG: Goodbye.

Svetlana Savranskaya and Thomas Blanton, author of the forthcoming book "The Last Summit of Superpowers: Gorbachev, Reagan and Bush - Those The Last Superpower Summits: Gorbachev, Reagan, and Bush: Conversations that Ended the Cold War