From Euphoria to Neurosis

... was told: no one promised anything, it was just a general conversation. Gorbachev, who was subsequently strongly criticized for the lack of binding agreements, usually spoke of plans to establish a fundamentally new atmosphere of trust within a ‘new world order.’ Indeed, if one had materialized, no specific agreements on NATO non-expansion would have been needed. But things went differently, due to the USSR’s collapse. Citing this, Gorbachev shifted responsibility onto his opponents who aspired to the Soviet Union’s disintegration. There is some truth to that. In ...