Mikhail Gorbachev was the Russian leader known for his policy of "glasnost," which means "openness" in Russian. Implemented in the mid-1980s, glasnost aimed to encourage transparency and freedom of expression in government and society. Gorbachev believed that increased openness would improve the economic and political situation in the Soviet Union and ultimately lead to reforms that could revitalize the country. This policy allowed for a more open discussion of political issues, criticism of the government, and a reduction in censorship, which contributed to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.