The political leader known for introducing the policy of glasnost in the Soviet Union is Mikhail Gorbachev. This policy aimed to increase transparency and openness in government, facilitating political reform and encouraging public discussion. Gorbachev believed glasnost would revitalize the Soviet economy and society by allowing citizens to express their views freely. Ultimately, this policy played a significant role in the reform process during the late 1980s and contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.