Reagan's perception of Soviet reform was influenced by a variety of factors. One significant event was the ascension of Mikhail Gorbachev as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985. Gorbachev introduced a series of reforms known as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which aimed to revitalize the Soviet economy and increase transparency in governance. These reforms, coupled with Gorbachev's willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States, led Reagan to perceive a potential for change within the Soviet Union.
Reagan also observed signs of internal discontent within the Soviet bloc, including growing economic challenges, a desire for greater personal freedoms, and increasing demands for political reform. These factors, combined with Gorbachev's rhetoric of reform, convinced Reagan that the Soviet Union was undergoing significant changes.
Reagan's perception of Soviet reform was reinforced by various diplomatic engagements and negotiations between the United States and the USSR, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) signed in 1987. These negotiations indicated a willingness on the part of the Soviet Union to work towards reducing nuclear arms, suggesting a shift in their approach.
Overall, Reagan's observations of Gorbachev's reforms, internal Soviet discontent, and diplomatic engagements between the United States and the USSR led him to believe that the Soviet Union was undergoing a process of reform and change. These perceptions played a significant role in shaping Reagan's policies and approach toward the Soviet Union during his presidency.