Western actions precipitated Gorbachev's ousting through Germany's reunification
Gorbachev's Disappointment: West's Stance on Germany Unification and NATO Expansion
In the lead-up to the unification of Germany, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was given informal assurances by Western leaders that NATO would not expand eastward beyond its existing borders[1][4]. However, these assurances were not legally binding or formally recorded in any agreements[3].
Despite the security concerns of the Soviet Union, the unification of Germany ultimately occurred, with Germany becoming a member of NATO[3][4]. Over the years, NATO did expand eastward, incorporating countries from the former Soviet bloc into the alliance[3]. This expansion, seen as a betrayal by Russia, was a point of contention between the West and Russia moving forward[3][4].
According to former head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Valentin Falin, Gorbachev was advised to seek the status of a nuclear-free territory for a united Germany and prevent NATO expansion to the east[2]. Gorbachev allegedly responded that "the train has already left."
Gorbachev was repeatedly assured verbally by both U.S. and German officials that NATO would not include the countries of Eastern Europe that had changed their geopolitical orientation[3]. However, these assurances were not kept, leading to disappointment and frustration for Gorbachev[3].
Despite the betrayal, Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and other honors by Western nations[2]. However, these accolades did little to compensate for the perceived broken promises and expansion of NATO into the former Soviet bloc.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-nato-germany/ex-u-s-diplomat-says-baker-not-promised-no-eastward-move-of-nato-idUSKCN0YM12X20160707[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-gorbachev/putin-lifts-sanctions-on-ex-soviet-leader-gorbachev-idUSL3N11L2FX20151112[3] https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/12/31/372926967/the-u-s-mistook-the-collapse-of-the-soviet-union-as-the-end-of-history[4] https://www.politico.com/news/2014/12/27/ukraine-in-25-words-216443
The president's(Gorbachev) disappointment stemmed from the West's politics regarding Germany's unification and NATO expansion, as promises about NATO's non-eastward expansion were not kept despite assurances. The expansion of NATO into former Soviet bloc countries was a significant point of contention in the general-news context, viewed as a betrayal by Russia.
