Who was the Soviet leader in power during the Cuban Missile Crisis?

The correct answer is Khrushchev, who served as the leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. This pivotal moment in Cold War history arose when the United States discovered Soviet nuclear missiles stationed in Cuba, which heightened tensions between the two superpowers.

Nikita Khrushchev, who was in power from 1953 to 1964, was a crucial figure in this crisis. His administration's decision to place missiles in Cuba was partly motivated by the desire to counter the US’s perceived threats, especially following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, where Cuba sought support against American interference.

During the crisis, Khrushchev engaged in intense negotiations with US President John F. Kennedy, ultimately reaching an agreement to remove the missiles in exchange for a US commitment not to invade Cuba and the secret removal of American missiles from Turkey. This event showcased Khrushchev’s leadership style, characterized by bold and risky political moves during a tense period of the Cold War.

In contrast, Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin are significant figures in post-Soviet Russia and were not involved during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Leonid Brezhnev succeeded Khrushchev and was