This document is from the journal of Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev, the Prime Minister of Cuba, and Castro. Castro had reportedly stopped by Kudryavtsev’s apartment, and Kudryavtsev recounts the events and conversation that took place.
Kudryavtsev mainly writes about the reports that Castro made throughout their meeting, such as the fact that the counterrevolutionary forces did not seem to pose a real threat to the revolutionary government or the country as a whole, and economic problems within Cuba such as unemployment, and the good mood of the peasant population and how this positively affected crop production. This conversation enforces the generally optimistic views that leaders in Cuba had during the early 1960s, while also stressing that he believes the United States – Cuban relationship is also heading in a good direction.
“In the course of further conversation Fidel Castro warmly spoke of Cde. N. S. Khrushchev and the aid of the Soviet Union. Fidel Castro stressed, I will never forget my meetings with Cde. N. S. Khrushchev at the UN General Assembly in New York. The struggle of Cde. Khrushchev for peace has won him personally, the Soviet Union, and its foreign policy universal respect in the entire world. The authority of the Soviet Union, Fidel Castro continued, as far as he can judge from the reports of his ambassadors, has grown immeasurably recently especially in the countries fighting for their independence. The growth of the authority of the Soviet Union, the growth of the popularity of its foreign policy, Fidel Castro said in conclusion, is what is forcing Kennedy to search right now for ways to develop more flexible methods in US foreign policy.”
— S.M. Kudryavtsev
“From the Journal of S.M. Kudryavtsev, ‘Record of a Conversation with Prime Minister of Cuba Fidel Castro Ruz, 21 January 1961’,” February 15, 1961, History and Public Policy Program Digital Archive, AVP RF, F. 0104. Op. 17, P. 118, D. 3. ll. 48-52. Obtained by James G. Hershberg and translated by Gary Goldberg. https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/177859.