Who was Andrei Gromyko? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko

Died At Age: 79

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Lydia Dmitrievna Grinevich

father: Andrei Matveyevich

mother: Olga Jevgenyevna

children: Anatoly, Emilia

Born Country: Belarus

Political Leaders Belarusian Men

Died on: July 2, 1989

place of death: Moscow, Russia

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1

What were Andrei Gromyko's key diplomatic achievements?

Andrei Gromyko played a significant role in various diplomatic achievements, including the signing of the Helsinki Accords in 1975, which aimed to improve relations between Western and Eastern Europe, and the negotiation of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreements with the United States in the 1970s.
2

How did Andrei Gromyko influence Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War?

Andrei Gromyko, as the Soviet Union's Foreign Minister and later as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, played a key role in shaping and implementing Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War. He was known for his skillful diplomacy and was a staunch defender of Soviet interests on the international stage.
3

What role did Andrei Gromyko play in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Andrei Gromyko, as the Soviet Union's Foreign Minister, was directly involved in the negotiations with the United States to peacefully resolve the crisis. His diplomatic efforts helped prevent a nuclear confrontation between the two superpowers.
4

How did Andrei Gromyko contribute to the establishment of détente between the US and the Soviet Union?

Andrei Gromyko played a crucial role in the establishment of détente, a period of improved relations between the US and the Soviet Union during the 1970s. His diplomatic skills and willingness to engage in dialogue with Western leaders were instrumental in reducing tensions and promoting cooperation between the two superpowers.
5

What was Andrei Gromyko's stance on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

Andrei Gromyko publicly defended the Soviet Union's decision to invade Afghanistan in 1979, arguing that it was necessary to protect Soviet interests in the region and support the Afghan government. His support for the invasion was met with criticism from Western nations but reflected the Soviet Union's Cold War strategy at the time.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born on July 18, 1909 in Staryya Hramyki, Russian Empire, to Andrei Matveyevich, a seasonal worker at a local factory and his wife, Olga Jevgenyevna. They lived in the Belarusian village of Staryya Gramyki, near Gomel.

Both his parents had attended school only for a short period of time. Although his family and most of the village people were religious beings, he questioned the existence of almighty quite early in his life.

He became a member of the Komsomol, youth division of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and held anti-religious speeches in the village with his friends and promoted Communist values when he was thirteen.

He received his primary school education and vocational training in Gomel. Then, he attended technical school in Borisov, on his mother’s advice.

After studying in Borisov for two years, he was appointed principal of a secondary school in Dzerzhinsk, where he taught, supervised the school, and continued his studies.

In 1933, he was offered an opportunity by the ‘Communist Party of Byelorussia’ to pursue post-graduation in Minsk, which he accepted with delight.

In 1936, after studying economics for three years, he became a researcher and lecturer at the Soviet Academy of Sciences. Subsequently, he was transferred from the Academy of Sciences to the diplomatic service.

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Career

In 1943, he was appointed as the Soviet ambassador to the United States. During his tenure as ambassador he met prominent personalities such as, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and John Maynard Keynes.

In 1946, he was made Permanent Representative of the Soviet Union to the United Nations. Simultaneously, he was also promoted to deputy foreign minister in 1946 and then to the first deputy foreign minister in 1949.

In 1952, he became a candidate member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and was appointed ambassador to the United Kingdom. His tenure as ambassador to the United Kingdom was a short one and he came back to Moscow in 1953.

After returning to Moscow, he resumed his post as first deputy foreign minister. In 1956 he attained full membership on the Central Committee.

He became the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1957. He was the main Soviet negotiator with the United States government during his long tenure of 28 years.

In 1973, he became a member of the Politburo and was appointed as the first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers in 1983.

In 1985, he was appointed as the President of the Soviet Union (the official title being Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet) by Mikhail Gorbachev.

After retiring from active politics in 1988, he started working on his memoirs which were published in the same year and translated into English in 1990.

Major Works

He became renowned for his extensive knowledge of international affairs and for his negotiating skills. He was entrusted with major diplomatic missions and policy statements. He took part in all the major negotiations of the Second World War and its immediate aftermath which resulted in the creation of the United Nations.

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As the Foreign Minister of Soviet Union, his negotiating style was legendary. He would wear down his negotiating partners by arguing for hours over the most trivial of details, before tackling the meat of the issue, teasing out small victories, which he would trade for larger concessions later in the negotiations.

Awards & Achievements

In 1948, he was honored with the ‘Order of the Red Banner’, the highest award of the Soviet Union until 1930.

He was conferred the honor of being the ‘Hero of Socialist Labour’ twice in his career, first in 1969 and the second time in 1979.

In 1982, he received the ‘Lenin Prize’, one of the most prestigious awards of the Soviet Union.

He also received the Jubilee Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary since the Birth of Vladimir Il'ich Lenin".

He was honored with ‘The Order of the Sun of Peru’, the highest award bestowed by the Peru to commend notable civil and military merit.

He was conferred with seven ‘Orders of Lenin’ in his career.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1931, he married Lydia Dmitrievna Grinevich, daughter of Byelorussian peasants, whom he met in Minsk. They were blessed with two children: a son, Anatoly, and a daughter, Emilia.

On July 2, 1989, he died in Moscow, Soviet Union, after he was admitted to the hospital regarding some vascular problem. He was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.

Facts About Andrei Gromyko

Despite his stern public image, Gromyko was known to have a dry sense of humor among his colleagues and friends.

Gromyko was an avid reader and had a keen interest in history and literature, often quoting Russian poets and authors in his speeches.

In his later years, Gromyko developed a passion for gardening and spent much of his free time tending to his plants and flowers.

Gromyko had a love for classical music and was known to play the piano in his spare time, finding solace in the melodies he could create.

Andrei Gromyko Biography

You wanted to know

What were Andrei Gromyko's key diplomatic achievements?

How did Andrei Gromyko influence Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War?

What role did Andrei Gromyko play in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

How did Andrei Gromyko contribute to the establishment of détente between the US and the Soviet Union?

What was Andrei Gromyko's stance on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?