The relationship Between R. Reagan and F. Mitterrand: contradictions and consensus (1981-1989)
The article examines the relationship between U. S. President Reagan (1981-1989) and French President F. Mitterrand (1981-1995), examines the circumstances that, despite the numerous differences between these statesmen, allowed France and the United States to significantly bring their positions closer at the final stage of the cold war. France and the United States are the leading Western countries that are now united on many issues of world politics. The experience of their interaction in the 80s of the XX century, when the governments of these states repeatedly took different positions when discussing important problems of international life, is of great interest. The purpose of this study is to identify the nature of the relationship between Reagan and Mitterrand and to determine how their political contacts affected the international situation. The subject of the article is the personal relations of the leaders of the two powers, formed in the course of their political activity. As heads of the leading Western States, they actively cooperated, they shared common views on many issues, they had similar points of view on the USSR. However, their relations were not free from contradictions, usually the result of the desire of the French administration to maintain its independence in international affairs. At the same time, personal relations between Reagan and Mitterrand remained warm throughout 1981-1989, and this contributed to their coordinated policy towards the USSR.