Historic video of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev receiving the Gold Mercury Award
The Gold Mercury Award for Peace was granted in the 1970s to Leonid Brezhnev (1906–1982), General Secretary of The Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He attempted to normalize relations with the West in the 1970s and promote détente with the U.S., including the SALT treaty that froze the build-up of nuclear and other Soviet weapons systems. The SALT Treaty was signed with President Richard Nixon, setting limits to each side’s development of nuclear missiles. The second part of the agreement, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, banned both countries from designing systems to intercept incoming missiles so neither the U.S. nor the Soviet Union would be emboldened to strike the other without fear of nuclear retaliation. The video (1.57) shows the Presentation of the Award at the Kremlin and the acceptance speech by Brezhnev in the presence of Gold Mercury International and members of the Soviet Presidium, the highest body of state authority in the USSR.
“The Section of International Relations of the Communist Party of the USSR aims to develop international cooperation in commerce, cultural connections, science, and technology. By receiving the Gold Mercury Award, I want to assure you that the Soviet Union will relentlessly continue this particular course of action in the interests of the Soviet people and our partners and in the name of strengthening peace worldwide.”
“Gold Mercury has played a vital part in promoting global governance initiatives at the highest levels, especially in the context of the Cold War and nuclear disarmament. This award to Leonid Brezhnev symbolizes the importance of promoting détente for both superpowers and engaging in diplomatic efforts to reduce hostility and ease the strained relations that characterized the Cold War. The aim of the award was to promote cooperation and reduce the risk of military confrontation as part of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT). Despite its limitations and eventual breakdown, the détente era remains a significant chapter in the history of the Cold War.”