Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev (Russian: ??????? ?????????? ???????? (help·info), Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachyov; Russian pronunciation: [m??x??il s??r?g?e?v??? g?rb???of]; born March 2, 1931 in Privolnoye, Stavropol Krai), is a Russian politician. He was the last General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the last head of state of the USSR, serving from 1985 until its collapse in 1991.

Gorbachev's attempts at reform — perestroika and glasnost — as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan, contributed to the end of the Cold War, and also ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. Gorbachev is currently the leader of the Union of Social-Democrats[1], a political party founded after the official dissolution of the Social Democratic Party of Russia on October 20, 2007.

Last President of the Soviet Union for his historic role in the evolution of Glasnost - openness in government - and for his leadership in the disarmament negotiations with the United States during the Reagan Administration. He was awarder the Courage of Conscience award October 20, 1996