Who was the Soviet Union's leader during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 was Nikita Khrushchev. At that time, he held the position of First Secretary of the Communist Party and was a crucial figure in the escalation of Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Khrushchev's decision to place nuclear missiles in Cuba was driven by several factors, including a desire to counter the U.S. nuclear capability and to support the Cuban government led by Fidel Castro. The crisis highlighted the intensity of the ideological struggle of the Cold War and ultimately brought the world to the brink of nuclear conflict. Khrushchev's leadership during this tense period was characterized by negotiation and eventual agreement with U.S. President John F. Kennedy, which led to the removal of the missiles and a de-escalation of the immediate threat.

Understanding the geopolitical context and Khrushchev's role is critical in comprehending how the Cuban Missile Crisis shaped international relations during the Cold War. Other leaders mentioned, such as Leonid Brezhnev, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Joseph Stalin, had their own impacts on Soviet history but were not in power during this pivotal moment in 1962.