Mikhail Gorbachev: victory in Afghanistan is 'impossible'

Heads of government are expected to endorse a new blueprint for the nine-year war Photo: REUTERS

Mr Gorbachev, who pulled Russian troops out of Afghanistan in 1989 after a 10-year war, said the US had no alternative but to withdraw troops.

"Victory is impossible in Afghanistan. [Barack] Obama is right to pull the troops out. No matter how difficult it will be," he told the BBC.