The leader of the Soviet Union during the period of Glasnost was Mikhail Gorbachev. He came to power in 1985 and implemented policies aimed at reforming the Soviet political system and economy. Glasnost, meaning "openness," allowed for greater freedom of speech, transparency in government, and a reduction in censorship, leading to increased public discourse about political and social issues. Gorbachev's initiatives also included Perestroika, aimed at restructuring the economy. While his reforms were intended to revitalize the Soviet Union, they inadvertently contributed to its eventual collapse in 1991, marking a significant turning point in global politics.