Can Gorbachev be considered the culprit in the collapse of the USSR?

The policy of Perestroika, begun in 1985 by M.S. Gorbachev, which provided for the reforms of the Soviet political and economic system, without affecting the foundations of the Soviet system (the power of the CPSU, the planned economy).

However, the introduction of democratic principles and the totalitarian essence of the communist regime turned out to be incompatible.

Gorbachev can hardly be called the culprit of the collapse of the country, he was the son of this system, which raised him to the pinnacle of power, but as a thinking person he understood the futility of the communist system and the need for reforms. Nevertheless, these reforms proved to be a trigger that led the country to commit suicide.