The Russian president appeared sombre as he paid tribute to Mikhail Gorbachev on Friday but said he will be too busy to attend the Former Soviet Union leader's funeral.

Vladimir Putin has his paid respects to former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev - but confirmed he will not attend his funeral.

The Russian President briefly visited a Moscow hospital where Mr Gorbachev's body is being kept to lay flowers by his casket on Thursday.

A 30-second clip broadcast by state media, showed Mr Putin place a bouquet of red roses by the open coffin, bow his head, make the sign of the cross and touch the casket before walking away.

The visit is the only opportunity Mr Putin will have to mourn Mr Gorbachev's death after the president said he is too busy too attend the funeral set for Saturday.

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“The farewell ceremony and funeral will take place on September 3 but unfortunately the president’s work schedule will not allow him (to attend),” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Mr Gorbachev, who died on Wednesday, will be buried at Moscow's Novodevichy cemetery next to his wife Raisa after a ceremony at the Pillar Hall of the House of the Unions.

The former Soviet Union leader was denied a state funeral, however, Mr Peskov said the government will help organise a guard of honour and provide other assistance.  

Putin pays last respects to Soviet leader Gorbachev; will not attend funeral due to work schedule pic.twitter.com/QPVH753X68

If a state funeral were held the Kremlin would need to send invitations to foreign leaders amid heightened and ongoing tensions with the West over its war in Ukraine.

The reception of Mr Gorbachev’s death in Russia has been one that has brought mixed emotions and feelings.

Mr Gorbachev was a figure who divided opinion in his homeland through his alternative approach to Western relations, one that was starkly different to President Putin.

The former Russian leader played a pivotal role in ending the Cold War which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.

He was praised for his efforts in lifting the iron curtain across Europe by renewing diplomatic relations with much of western Europe and forging arms reduction deals with the United States.

Gorbachev broke the mould of previous Soviet leaders and refrained from stifling regional uprisings by using force after pro-democracy revolts scattered across Soviet-bloc nations in Eastern Europe.

Mr Gorbachev died at the age of 91 after a “serious and protracted disease”.

His death comes more than 30 years after losing the presidency and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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