What effect did Mikhail Gorbachev's program have on the cold war?

Mikhail Gorbachev's programs of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) significantly contributed to the easing of Cold War tensions. By promoting transparency and reform within the Soviet Union, Gorbachev encouraged greater dialogue with the West and reduced the ideological rigidity that had characterized the Cold War. His willingness to engage in arms reduction talks and withdraw from Afghanistan signaled a departure from confrontational policies, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and a peaceful end to the Cold War.