Key Event Leading to the End of the Cold War

The late 1980s marked a significant turning point in U.S.-Soviet relations, culminating in events that led to the end of the Cold War. One of the crucial elements during this period was the change in Soviet leadership and their approach to domestic and foreign policy. With the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev as the General Secretary of the Communist Party, prominent reforms were introduced, including policies aimed at reducing state control and increasing openness. Additionally, Gorbachev’s new foreign policy principles began to reshape the Soviet Union's interactions with the United States and its Eastern European allies.

Which of the following events or policies is most directly associated with the end of the Cold War?