Mikhail Gorbachev, the transformative Russian statesman, ushered in a new era of reform and openness in the Soviet Union with his policies of perestroika and glasnost. As the last leader of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev's bold leadership and commitment to democracy changed the course of history, ending the Cold War and paving the way for a new era of global cooperation.

"We are not abandoning our convictions, our philosophy or traditions, nor do we urge anyone to abandon theirs."


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"Surely, God on high has not refused to give us enough wisdom to find ways to bring us an improvement in relations between the two great nations on earth."



"The market came with the dawn of civilization and it is not an invention of capitalism. If it leads to improving the well-being of the people there is no contradiction with socialism."



"It is better to discuss things, to argue and engage in polemics than make perfidious plans of mutual destruction."



"The market is not an invention of capitalism. It has existed for centuries. It is an invention of civilization."



"It seems that the most important thing about Reagan was his anti-Communism and his reputation as a hawk who saw the Soviet Union as an 'evil empire.'"

