"Certain people in the United States are driving nails into this structure of our relationship, then cutting off the heads. So the Soviets must use their teeth to pull them out"

This quote by Mikhail Gorbachev is a metaphor for the strained relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The "structure of our relationship" is a metaphor for the fragile peace between the 2 nations. The "particular individuals" in the United States are those who are actively attempting to interfere with the peace between the 2 nations, signified by driving nails into the structure. The Soviets need to use their teeth to pull out the nails, representing the effort they must put in to preserve the peace. This quote is a tip of the significance of keeping peace in between countries, and the effort it takes to do so. It also acts as a warning to those who would look for to interfere with the peace, as the effects of their actions will be felt by both sides.