Final answer:
Ronald Reagan's approach toward the Soviet Union evolved from confrontational to cooperative during his presidency, culminating in significant arms control agreements with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over the course of his presidency, Ronald Reagan's approach toward the Soviet Union became more cooperative. Despite initially adopting a hardline stance against the Soviet Union by branding it an "evil empire" and embarking on a significant military buildup, Reagan later engaged in major diplomatic efforts to reduce nuclear armaments and improve relations. After Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, Reagan found in him a willing partner for dialog.
Reagan and Gorbachev met on several occasions, leading to significant arms reduction agreements, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which sought to eliminate an entire class of nuclear weapons. They also had meetings in Geneva and Reykjavík that laid the groundwork for future disarmament. These actions reflected a shift from Reagan's initial strategy to a focus on arms control and reducing tensions between the superpowers.