Gor ‧ ba ‧ chev, Mi ‧ khail /ˈɡɔːbətʃɒf $ ˈɡɔːrbətʃɔːf, mɪˈkaɪl, -ˈxaɪl/ BrE AmE
(1931–) the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, who started the process of economic and political change which improved his country’s relationship with the West and resulted in the end of Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.