By: HISTORY.com Editors
George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev agree to end production of chemical weapons
At a superpowers summit meeting in Washington, D.C., U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign a historic agreement to end production of chemical weapons and begin the destruction of both nations’ sizable reserves of them. According to the agreement, on-site inspectors from both countries would observe the destruction process.
The treaty, which called for an 80 percent reduction of their chemical weapon arsenals, was part of an effort to create a climate of change that would discourage smaller nations from stockpiling and using the lethal weapons. First developed during World War I, most countries in the world were in possession of the technology needed to build chemical weapons by 1990, and some, such as Iraq, had engaged in chemical warfare in preceding years. The United States and Russia began destroying their chemical weapons arsenals in the early 1990s. In 1993, the U.S., Russia, and 150 other nations signed a comprehensive treaty banning chemical weapons. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty in 1997.
Also on This Day in History
Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on June 1st
Related
Cold War
22 videos
The U.S. faced an unprecedented question after World War II: Should civilians or the military oversee its nuclear arsenal?
How eight countries got bogged down in the Vietnam War's Cold War proxy battle.
Mikhail Gorbachev introduced perestroika and glasnost as well-intentioned reforms to transform the Soviet Union.
About the author
HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Christian Zapata, Cristiana Lombardo and Adrienne Donica.
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.
Citation Information
- Article Title
- George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev agree to end production of chemical weapons
- Author
- HISTORY.com Editors
- Website Name
- History
- Date Accessed
- October 29, 2026
- Publisher
- A&E Television Networks
- Last Updated
- January 24, 2025
- Original Published Date
- February 09, 2010
