Mikhail Gorbachev (1 jan 1985 ano – 1 jan 1991 ano)

Descrição:

He tried to move the Communist Party, and the economy, by introducing glasnost (or openness), perestroika (or restructuring), and uskorenie (or the acceleration of economic development). The introduction of glasnost gave the people of Russia the freedom of speech. The news was now less controlled, and political prisoners were released. In 1987, Gorbachev called for the introduction of democratic elements into the Soviet Union's political process.Gorbachev also sought to improve political relations and trade with the West. Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan met in Iceland, which eventually led to the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) of 1987. In early 1989, Gorbachev completed the withdrawal of Russian forces from Afghanistan. The loosening of Soviet control over Eastern Europe effectively ended the Cold War. The democratization of the USSR stripped away the power of the Communist Party and Gorbachev. Yeltsin was elected as president of Russia in June 1991, and Gorbachev was forced to resign on December 25, 1991 as the USSR disintegrated.