Khrushchev offers to remove missiles if the United States pledges not to invade Cuba

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev sends President Kennedy a private message proposing a way out of the crisis. He says the Soviet Union is prepared to remove the missiles if the United States lifts pressure on Cuba and promises not to invade the island. The letter gives both governments a diplomatic opening after days of military escalation and becomes the basis for the settlement Kennedy chooses to pursue.