Changes

He agreed to the [[START II treaty]], which reduced the number of [[U.S.]] and Russian [[nuclear weapons]] by approximately 20,000 warheads.  Congruent with this treaty and the spirit of European unification promoted by Gorbachev, the great powers persuaded [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]] and [[Kazakhstan]] to hand over their nuclear arsenals to Russia, which also succeeded to the Soviet Union's permanent seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]].

He agreed to the [[START II treaty]], which reduced the number of [[U.S.]] and Russian [[nuclear weapons]] by approximately 20,000 warheads.  Congruent with this treaty and the spirit of European unification promoted by Gorbachev, the great powers persuaded [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]] and [[Kazakhstan]] to hand over their nuclear arsenals to Russia, which also succeeded to the Soviet Union's permanent seat on the [[United Nations Security Council]].

Along with Gorbachev, Yeltsin became one of the most hated rulers in the recent history of Russia, both having approval ratings around 2%.  Average [[life expectancy]] for Russians, especially men, dropped significantly during Yeltsin's first term.  This is partly due to increased abuse of [[alcohol]] (a vice shared by Yeltsin himself - it is reported that his daily intake of vodka was two liters) and other substances, and partly due to the collapse of Russia's system of [[socialized medicine]]. Indeed, Russian [[infrastructure]] across the board was in a state of collapse for several years after Yeltsin took power, complicating the [[privatization]] of the Russian [[economy]] and discouraging much-needed [[investment]].  The average Russian's living standard accordingly did not rise as his life expectancy fell, and he also had to deal with [[unemployment]], unknown in Soviet times.  These factors help explain the increased rate of alcoholism{{fact}}. In 1993, he was impeached at two separate times on March 28 and September 22, both for constitutional violations, but impeachment was not adopted either time.   

Along with Gorbachev, Yeltsin became one of the most hated rulers in the recent history of Russia, both having approval ratings around 1%.  Average [[life expectancy]] for Russians, especially men, dropped significantly during Yeltsin's first term.  This is partly due to increased abuse of [[alcohol]] (a vice shared by Yeltsin himself - it is reported that his daily intake of vodka was two liters) and other substances, and partly due to the collapse of Russia's system of [[socialized medicine]]. Indeed, Russian [[infrastructure]] across the board was in a state of collapse for several years after Yeltsin took power, complicating the [[privatization]] of the Russian [[economy]] and discouraging much-needed [[investment]].  The average Russian's living standard accordingly did not rise as his life expectancy fell, and he also had to deal with [[unemployment]], unknown in Soviet times.  These factors help explain the increased rate of alcoholism{{fact}}. In 1993, he was impeached at two separate times on March 28 and September 22, both for constitutional violations, but impeachment was not adopted either time.   

Due to [[disarmament]] was sharply reduced Russian influence in [[geopolitics]].  The Russian defense budget reached its nadir of $17 billion in 1994.  Consequently, [[corruption]] spread throughout the [[Russian armed forces]].  It is widely believed that some Russian nuclear weapons may have fallen into the hands of [[terrorists]] during this period{{fact}}, although if this is the case, the terrorists' failure to use any since is somewhat inexplicable.  The armed forces had been withdrawn from most [[Warsaw Pact]] countries under Gorbachev, but were compelled to remain in several of the newly independent Soviet republics to protect Russians and other ethnic [[minorities]].  Indeed, Russians were in the minority in some parts of Russia itself, notably [[Chechnya]]{{fact}}, which had declared its independence around the same time as the Baltic states.

Due to [[disarmament]] was sharply reduced Russian influence in [[geopolitics]].  The Russian defense budget reached its nadir of $17 billion in 1994.  Consequently, [[corruption]] spread throughout the [[Russian armed forces]].  It is widely believed that some Russian nuclear weapons may have fallen into the hands of [[terrorists]] during this period{{fact}}, although if this is the case, the terrorists' failure to use any since is somewhat inexplicable.  The armed forces had been withdrawn from most [[Warsaw Pact]] countries under Gorbachev, but were compelled to remain in several of the newly independent Soviet republics to protect Russians and other ethnic [[minorities]].  Indeed, Russians were in the minority in some parts of Russia itself, notably [[Chechnya]]{{fact}}, which had declared its independence around the same time as the Baltic states.