<P> The term is most often used in reference to a period of general easing of the geo - political tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States; it was the distinct lessening of the Cold War . It began in 1969, as a core element of the foreign policy of U.S. president Richard Nixon, in an effort to avoid the collision of nuclear risks . The Nixon administration promoted greater dialogue with the Soviet government, including regular summit meetings and negotiations over arms control and other bilateral agreements . Détente was known in Russian as разрядка ("razryadka", loosely meaning "relaxation of tension"). </P> <P> The period was characterized by the signing of treaties such as SALT I and the Helsinki Accords . Another treaty, START II, was discussed but never ratified by the United States . There is still ongoing debate amongst historians as to how successful the détente period was in achieving peace . </P> <P> After the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, the two superpowers agreed to install a direct hotline between Washington D.C. and Moscow (the so - called red telephone), enabling leaders of both countries to quickly interact with each other in a time of urgency, and reduce the chances that future crises could escalate into an all - out war . The U.S. / U.S.S.R. détente was presented as an applied extension of that thinking . The SALT II pact of the late 1970s continued the work of the SALT I talks, ensuring further reduction in arms by the Soviets and by the U.S. The Helsinki Accords, in which the Soviets promised to grant free elections in Europe, has been called a major concession to ensure peace by the Soviets . </P> <P> Détente ended after the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, which led to the United States boycott of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow . Ronald Reagan's election as president in 1980, based in large part on an anti-détente campaign, marked the close of détente and a return to Cold War tensions . In his first press conference, President Reagan said "Détente's been a one - way street that the Soviet Union has used to pursue its aims ." </P>

As a part of the policy of détente the united states and the soviet union agreed to