Nikita Khrushchev was the leader of the Soviet Union during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which occurred in October 1962. Khrushchev's leadership was marked by attempts to expand Soviet influence globally, and the crisis was a significant point of confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. The deployment of Soviet missiles in Cuba challenged U.S. security, leading to a tense 13-day standoff. Eventually, a diplomatic resolution was reached, where the U.S. agreed not to invade Cuba and secretly removed its missiles from Turkey, showcasing Khrushchev's role in both confrontation and subsequent negotiation.