In 1983, the first Craxi government was formed, in which Andreotti was appointed Foreign Minister. The following year, the Foreign Minister began visiting Moscow frequently and soon paid particular attention to Mikhail Gorbachev, who, the following year, became General Secretary of the CPSU, the highest office in the Soviet Union. Following his appointment, the Soviet leader announced his intention to reform ties with his Eastern European satellites, democratising them and restoring their freedom of action. Andreotti perceived that the liberalisation of Eastern Europe would only benefit the European Community's prospects. It is no coincidence that Andreotti himself became very close to Eastern European countries such as Poland, Yugoslavia, and Hungary.

During 1989, the Eastern European communist regimes collapsed under popular pressure and with the apparent approval of Moscow, initiating the process that would bring many of them into NATO and European institutions. As a result, these countries sought support from the European Community—a prospect Andreotti viewed favourably, having since returned to Palazzo Chigi. At the same time, he was concerned about the dire economic and political situation in the Soviet Union and believed that Gorbachev needed help. The geopolitical redefinition of Eastern Europe did not change Gorbachev's attitude, and he continued to view Italy and Andreotti as important and reliable partners. In November 1990, the Soviet leader met with Andreotti in Rome, where they signed the Agreement of Collaboration and Friendship between Italy and the USSR. This agreement deepened and regulated economic, industrial, and scientific-technological cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister emphasised the "pioneering role played on the pan-European scene by the collaboration of Italy and the Soviet Union." For this reason, according to Andreotti, the agreements are "confirmation of our collaboration, not only commercial, but, I would say, ideal, towards ever greater European integration." Gorbachev responded with gratitude. As a result of the agreement, the USSR was able to count on financial assistance of over seventy billion lire, the largest aid ever provided by Italy to any foreign country. Furthermore, both governments converged on a response to the Iraqi crisis of 1990-91: they proposed a negotiated solution to avoid war, but their position was rejected.