Breakup of Reagan-Gorbachev Summit, Reykjavik, Iceland 1986

Date1986

DimensionsSight: 13 5/8 × 18 in. (34.6 × 45.7 cm)

Object numberN0001.2021(03)

Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Museum Purchase with funds provided by Nancy Kollisch and Jeff Pressman

Pete Souza

Label TextSoviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev escorts President Reagan to his motorcade following the break-up of their summit meeting in Reykavik, Iceland. The previous year, the two had a cordial first meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. In Iceland, the leaders were on the brink of a major agreement to eliminate nuclear missiles within a decade. Gorbachev insisted that Reagan agree to confine to the laboratory research on the Strategic Defense Initiative–essentially a shield in the atmosphere to stop nuclear missiles. The two-day meeting ended abruptly when Reagan refused to budge. I was the only staff member within earshot when the two had a few last words at the doorway of the presidential limousine. “I don’t know what else I could have done,” Gorbachev said through his interpreter. “You could have said yes,” Reagan replied angrily, then turned and boarded his limousine.

On View

Not on view