Who was the Russian president known for implementing perestroika and glasnost?

Mikhail Gorbachev is recognized for implementing the policies of perestroika and glasnost, which were pivotal in reshaping Soviet society during the late 1980s. Perestroika, meaning "restructuring," aimed to reform the economic and political systems of the USSR by introducing elements of decentralization and market-like reforms. Glasnost, meaning "openness," encouraged greater transparency in government operations and allowed for increased freedom of expression and public discourse. These reforms played a critical role in reducing the oppressive controls of the Communist Party and paving the way for significant social changes, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The other figures listed had different roles or political strategies: Leonid Brezhnev led the country during a period of stagnation, Boris Yeltsin was a key figure in the aftermath of Gorbachev's policies, and Vladimir Putin's leadership came much later, focusing on consolidating power rather than reforming the system as Gorbachev did.