In March 1985, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of a new era in Soviet history. His rise to power was not merely the arrival of a new leader but the start of a sweeping reform process that ultimately led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
During those years, I lived in Moscow and experienced firsthand the atmosphere of transformation—the hope that accompanied change and the disillusionment that later followed. These memories have remained with me, resurfacing in my writings. Initially, the Gorbachev era promised a more open and free future, yet history took a different course. Even today, Russia’s political landscape can only be understood in the shadow of these hopes and disappointments.
The Reforms of the Gorbachev Era
Gorbachev’s ascent to power made it clear that the Soviet system was in deep crisis. Economic stagnation, corruption, and Cold War pressures made reform unavoidable. He introduced two key initiatives: perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness).
The goal of perestroika was economic modernization, but due to the rigidity of the planned economy and political resistance, its intended results failed to materialize. Glasnost, on the other hand, brought profound societal changes: people could openly discuss the past for the first time, censorship was eased, and a new wave of political activism emerged.
Initially, these reforms sparked optimism—many believed the Soviet Union was moving toward a more open and democratic system. However, reality unfolded differently. Economic problems worsened, political tensions deepened, and ethnic conflicts intensified.
The Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Years of Hope and Chaos
Despite the reforms, the Soviet Union became increasingly unstable. Economic hardships, growing social unrest, and the independence movements of Eastern European satellite states shook the empire. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of an era, as Eastern Bloc countries began to gain independence one by one.
In December 1991, the Soviet Union officially dissolved, and Gorbachev resigned. The world stood at the dawn of a new era. Russia, as the largest successor state, initially took steps toward democracy, but the economic crises, political instability, and corruption of the 1990s made this path increasingly difficult. Soon, hope gave way to disillusionment.
The Rise of Putin and Russia’s Decline
The early 2000s saw the rise of Vladimir Putin, bringing radical changes. Russia gradually distanced itself from democratic institutions, while authoritarian governance grew stronger. Media freedom eroded, opposition figures were suppressed, and political power became increasingly concentrated in Putin’s hands.
Russia also became more aggressive on the international stage. In 2014, it annexed Crimea, and in 2022, it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These moves made it clear that Moscow was once again harboring imperial ambitions, striving to reclaim its former influence.
At the end of the Cold War, many believed that a new, more peaceful era would follow. However, history is not linear. Once gained, freedom is not always permanent, and democracy is never guaranteed—it must be continually defended.
The Shadows of History Still Linge
The Gorbachev era began as a period of change and hope, but after the Soviet Union’s collapse, Russia failed to establish a stable democratic path. The policies and imperial ambitions of the Putin regime demonstrate that the past still exerts a strong influence.
History is not merely a series of political events but also a collection of human destinies. The years I spent in Moscow and the transformations I witnessed left a profound mark on me. These experiences continue to shape my writing—capturing the hopes and disappointments that an entire generation lived through.