Reagan appreciated the revolutionary change in the direction of the Soviet policy with Mikhail Gorbachev , and shifted to diplomacy , with a view to encourage the Soviet leader to pursue substantial arms agreements . He and Gorbachev held four summit conferences between 1985 and 1988 : the first in Geneva , Switzerland , the second in Reykjavík , Iceland , the third in Washington , D.C. , and the fourth in Moscow . Reagan believed that if he could persuade the Soviets to allow for more democracy and free speech , this would lead to reform and the end of Communism . The critical summit was at Reykjavík in October 1986 , where they met alone , with translators but with no aides . To the astonishment of the world , and the chagrin of Reagan 's most conservative supporters , they agreed to abolish all nuclear weapons . Gorbachev then asked the end of SDI . Reagan said no , claiming that it was defensive only , and that he would share the secrets with the Soviets . No deal was achieved
second
Reykjavík Summit
Ronald Reagan