Nikita Khrushchev's Breakthrough in Negotiations

Krushchev kept his actions secret, even from his family until near the end of his life. Kennedy had responded favorably to Khrushchev's initial offer to withdraw nukes for a pledge to keep hands off Cuba. Fidel Castro was obviously stung because he was not informed during the heady moments when Khrushchev made this offer to Kennedy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were furious; Admiral George Anderson: We've been had.