[2] Lukyanov was an early political ally of Mikhail Gorbachev, supporting his efforts in issues such as the fight against corruption and the start of reforms in the economy.

However, beginning in 1987–1988, he increasingly sympathized with the party establishment, correctly foreseeing that Gorbachev's policies would lead to the Soviet collapse.

[3][4] Lukyanov was born in Smolensk on 7 May 1930, the son of a Red Army officer who was killed in action during World War II.

[5] He graduated from the Law School of the Moscow State University in 1953, while also being a member of the Communist Youth League (Komsomol).

[3][6] During his years in law school, he befriended Mikhail Gorbachev, who was also studying there at the time, becoming an early political ally of the future leader.

[10] Lukyanov was a secretary of the CPSU Central Committee from January 1987 and a candidate member of the Politburo from September 1988.