On this day October 11 1986, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met in Reykjavik, Iceland, for a historic summit aimed at reducing intermediate range nuclear missiles in Europe. Although the meeting ended without a formal agreement, it marked a significant step toward easing Cold War tensions and paved the way for future arms control breakthroughs.
The discussions centered around limiting intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and advancing broader nuclear disarmament. Both leaders came surprisingly close to agreeing on sweeping reductions, but negotiations broke down over disagreements surrounding Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative.
Despite the lack of a signed accord, the Reykjavik Summit became one of the most important diplomatic moments of the 1980s, demonstrating a growing willingness between the superpowers to pursue meaningful arms control.
80s insight: The 1986 meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev showed that even during the Cold War’s final decade, dialogue and determination could bring the world closer to peace.
The discussions centered around limiting intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and advancing broader nuclear disarmament. Both leaders came surprisingly close to agreeing on sweeping reductions, but negotiations broke down over disagreements surrounding Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative.
Despite the lack of a signed accord, the Reykjavik Summit became one of the most important diplomatic moments of the 1980s, demonstrating a growing willingness between the superpowers to pursue meaningful arms control.
80s insight: The 1986 meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev showed that even during the Cold War’s final decade, dialogue and determination could bring the world closer to peace.
