Mikhael Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. He is known for implementing reforms called glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which aimed to make the government more transparent and improve the economy. His policies helped reduce Cold War tensions with the West and led to greater freedoms in Eastern Europe. However, these changes also contributed to the Soviet Union's eventual dissolution. Gorbachev's leadership is seen as a pivotal moment in ending the Cold War and promoting greater openness globally, earning him a complex legacy as a reformer and statesman.