Analyse
The quoted passage matches verbatim the closing remarks of Gorbachev’s **UN speech on December 7, 1988**, where he announced unilateral Soviet troop reductions and called for an end to Cold War divisions. The speech was widely reported at the time and is archived in **UN documents** and **credible historical sources**, including Gorbachev’s own memoirs. No discrepancies or misattributions have been found in the statement’s wording or context.
Achtergrond
Gorbachev’s 1988 UN address marked a pivotal moment in Cold War diplomacy, introducing policies like *perestroika* (restructuring) and *glasnost* (openness) while proposing disarmament talks. The speech reflected his broader vision of *‘new thinking’* in international relations, which contributed to the eventual thaw in U.S.-Soviet tensions. His call for a ‘common European home’ and nuclear de-escalation aligned with later agreements like the 1989 Malta Summit.
Samenvatting verdict
Mikhail Gorbachev did deliver this statement in his December 7, 1988, address to the United Nations General Assembly, as verified by official transcripts and historical records.