Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which occurred in October 1962, was Nikita Khrushchev. This period was marked by heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, primarily due to the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. Khrushchev's decisions and policies during this crisis were pivotal in shaping global relations and ultimately led to a de-escalation of the nuclear standoff through negotiations with U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Khrushchev's leadership was characterized by a focus on strengthening the Soviet military while also pursuing a more diplomatic approach during this crisis, which played a key role in avoiding a potential nuclear conflict. His handling of the situation demonstrated both the aggressive posture of the Soviet Union and a willingness to seek peaceful resolutions, reflecting his complex role in Cold War dynamics.

The other figures listed—Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, and Mikhail Gorbachev—were not leaders during this critical moment. Lenin was the founder of the Soviet state but died in 1924, long before the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Stalin led the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953 and therefore was not in power during the