Khrushchev Believed The Russians Would Win The Cold War Says His Son

When was making my feature-length documentary film in 2007 on the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union and how America reacted, I had the opportunity to interview Sergei Khrushchev, Nikita Khrushchev's son. Nikita was the Premier during that time and he made plenty of PR noise by the Soviet success, launching the Sputnik satellite.

Sergei had a close relationship with his father. Nikita Khrushchev, the former Premier of the Soviet Union, was a family-oriented man and had a strong bond with his children, especially Sergei. Nikita Khrushchev and his wife Nina, had several children. Nikita was actively involved in his children's lives.

Nikita Khrushchev encouraged his children to pursue education and intellectual growth. Sergei, in particular, showed an interest in engineering and science, which his father supported.

Nikita Khrushchev's position in the Soviet government gave him the ability to provide professional opportunities and guidance to his children. Sergei Khrushchev's career in engineering and technology was, in part, a result of his father's influence.

After Nikita Khrushchev was removed from power in 1964, Sergei Khrushchev faced challenges related to his family's political history. Eventually, in 1991, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Sergei and his family emigrated to the United States. This move allowed Sergei to pursue his academic and professional interests independently.

While Nikita Khrushchev's political career had its share of controversies and challenges, he maintained a strong connection with his family, and his support and guidance had a lasting impact on Sergei Khrushchev's life and career. Sergei continued to engage in academic and public discourse on Soviet history, politics, and technology, even after his relocation to the United States.
He emigrated to the United States in 1991 and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Sergei Khrushchev also authored books and lectured on Soviet history and space exploration.

Nikita Khrushchev joined the Communist Party in 1918 and held various party positions in Ukraine during the 1920s and 1930s. He became known for his loyal service to Joseph Stalin and for his role in implementing Stalin's policies, including the collectivization of agriculture and the purges of political opponents.

Khrushchev played a significant role in the Soviet Union's efforts during World War II, serving as a political commissar on the front lines and contributing to the war effort.

After World War II, Khrushchev continued to climb the political ladder, and in 1953, following the death of Joseph Stalin, he emerged as a prominent figure within the Soviet leadership.

As Premier of the Soviet Union, Khrushchev initiated a process of de-Stalinization, denouncing some of Stalin's policies and crimes during his rule. He delivered a secret speech to the 20th Party Congress in 1956, which criticized Stalin's excesses and brutality.

Khrushchev's tenure as Premier included several significant events, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, during which the United States and the Soviet Union came close to nuclear conflict over the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Khrushchev implemented various domestic policies, including the Virgin Lands Campaign (aimed at increasing agricultural production) and the development of the Soviet space program, which led to the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, in 1957.

Removal from Office: Khrushchev's leadership was marked by erratic behavior and controversial decisions. In 1964, he was removed from power by a group of high-ranking Soviet officials who were critical of his leadership style and policies.

Nikita Khrushchev's leadership was characterized by his efforts to modernize the Soviet Union, improve agricultural production, and lessen the influence of Stalin's legacy. However, his leadership style was often unpredictable and led to political instability within the Soviet leadership, ultimately resulting in his removal from office.

Thank you Sergei for accepting this interview with me.