CC CPSU officials consult about burying dead Soviet soldiers

Politburo discussion, presided over by Andropov, on how to respond to the Western decision to deploy new nuclear weapons in Europe.

CC CPSU Politburo Session nominating Gorbachev for General Secretary after the death of Konstantin Ustinovich Chernenko. Many members of the politburo spoke in favor of Gorbachev for General Secretary. They make a unanimous recommendation to the Plenum of CC CPSU.

Following general Secretary Konstantin Chernenko's death, Soviet officials discuss a Warsaw Pact meeting and conversations with various foreign leaders.

Raúl Castro was Cuba’s defense minister; Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Communist party of the Soviet Union.

The Politburo discusses whether to permit Bonner to visit the United States to receive medical treatment and visit relatives, a decision complicated by concern about the potential risk of an embarrassing uproar if her request was denied barely two months before Gorbachev’s planned summit meeting in Geneva with Reagan.

Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

Department of State summary of Gorbachev and Reagan's discussions.

Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

CPSU CC Politburo Transcript discussing Afghan plans to execute 50 people and Karmal’s weak psychological disposition

Conversation between the Secretary of the CC CPSU A.N. Yakovlev with the Secretary of the CC KWP Hwang Jang-yeop

In this September 1986 excerpt, Gorbachev receives a report from KGB chief Chebrikov that he had requested on “what kinds of people are serving sentences for crimes, which Western propaganda calls political.” Obviously following Gorbachev’s lead, Chebrikov proposes to alleviate the prison sentences of two-thirds of the 240 persons he lists under this category; but, in response to a question from Gromyko, he notes two cases where the guilty parties had already received a sentence that could not be reduced—execution for espionage.

The Politburo discusses what to do after the failure of the Reykjavik summit over Reagan's insistence on preserving the right to continue the SDI or "Star Wars" project, as well as the subsequent expulsion of Soviet diplomats from the US. In the angry, bitter meeting Gorbachev decides on the removal of 250 Soviets working in service positions at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Statement by M.S. Gorbachev: “The Amelioration of the International Situation, Strengthening of Peace”

CPSU CC Politburo transcript regarding attempts to find a solution to the Afghan war and bring resolution to the conflict.

Gorbachev and his advisors discuss new Afghan president Mohammad Najibullah and the possible drawdown of Soviet troops.

Gorbachev describes issues with the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Gorbachev and his advisors discuss whether to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.