join international institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, and receive well-needed loans. In December 1987 the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was signed in Washington, and in doing so it became the first arms reduction, rather than arms limitation, agreement of the Cold War (Westad, 106.) This was an important turning point, which led to many more agreements about arms limitation, and international economic reform. The new Soviet security strategy also did not require a continued sphere of influence in Eastern Europe. Eastern Europe, or the East Bloc, had always been seen as essential to Soviet security and pro-Soviet leaders had been put in power to maintain this security. This was, however, done under extreme coercion, and as economic conditions worsened, opposition to Soviet rule increased dramatically. Gorbachev realized that this situation was no longer benefiting anyone; especially considering the fact the Eastern Europe was also a drain on the Soviet resources (Lacres/Lane, 195.) Oil and natural gas exports to Ea
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