Mikhail Gorbachev is regarded as one of the central figures who contributed to the end of the Cold War. His speech to the UN General Assembly in 1988 was an important impetus for the changes in the international political arena. Gorbachev chose the UN as the platform for his speech as it was the most influential international organization that ensured the world order created after the Second World War. In his speech, the then-president of the USSR called for de-ideologizing relations among countries meaning that states should focus on cooperation (economic, political, cultural, and so on) rather than concentrate on differences and confrontation (“Gorbachev’s speech to the U.N.,” 1988).
This approach became the basis for further collaboration between the super powers that started developing economic ties, which was critical for the USSR. Gorbachev also mentioned that force could not be a tool of foreign policy meaning that countries of the Soviet bloc could decide whether to choose the capitalistic approach and independence or remain within the union. This change of the foreign policy resulted in the end of the USSR and the Soviet bloc since the vast majority of the countries chose the western approach to the economic and political spheres.
Gorbachev foresaw a close collaboration between super powers that cold address environmental, humanitarian and other issues that existed and could arise. Super powers were to become arbiters that would ensure the development of humanity.
In conclusion, it is possible to note that the speech was an important symbol of the new agenda of the USSR. The shift in the ideology and international relations of the USSR led to considerable changes in the world as the two-camp world ceased to exist.
Reference
Gorbachev’s speech to the U.N. (1988). Web.