Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit this week to the United States comes at a time, he said, when the world is “going through some very crucial changes.” That, in reference to Gorbachev’s country and the country he is visiting, seems an understatement.

The Soviet Union is troubled these days with continued economic problems, ethnic unrest and the task of implementing many of the political and governmental changes brought about through the policy of perestroika.

The U.S., in comparison, does not appear to be as troubled. However, the nation’s highest office soon will change hands as Ronald Reagan steps down from the presidency and George Bush steps up.

Perhaps these issues are the reasons why this superpower meeting will contain no sweeping policy decisions.

Proposals might be offered this week, particularly in the area of arms control. However, nothing comparable to last December’s summit meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev, which spawned the INF Treaty, will be accomplished.

The INF Treaty was not militarily pivotal, but was a step in the direction of future arms control agreements.

“Good faith” meetings between the U.S. and the Soviet Union such as this week’s are necessary for improved foreign relations. But leaders of both nations should take care to see that these do not become rote ceremonies, preoccupied with empty rhetorical dialogue. Such occasions should provide substantive decisions.