Statesman.
One of the foremost Foreign Ministers of the Soviet Union. During his 28 years of service, he was the main architect of Soviet foreign policy in the cabinets of Khrushchev and Brezhnev.
Background
Lived: 1909-1989.
Andrey Gromyko came from the Belarusian peasant family. He joined the party in 1931 and was introduced to the diplomatic service, as a protege of Molotov, in 1936.
Career
Gromyko made an outstanding career. He became the Soviet ambassador of the United States (1943-46), United Nations (1946-48) and Great Britain (1952-53). He also participated in the conferences of Yalta and Potsdam.
Foreign Minister
Gromyko survived the change of power in the party corridors and was promoted Foreign Minister in 1957. He stayed on that post for 28 years and was also elected to the Politburo in 1973.
Gromyko became the principal director of Brezhnev’s foreign policy in the 1960s and 1970s. He had a vital role in preparing the peace summit talks between Brezhnev and Nixon. He also urged the non-aggression pact and Helsinki Accords. Gromyko’s influence increased furthermore in the reign of Andropov and Chernenko.
Fall from power
Gromyko was gently demoted by Gorbachev in 1985. He was given an honourable, but powerless position as the Soviet President and Eduard Shevardnadze was appointed as the new Foreign Minister. Gromyko retired in 1988 and died the next year.
Andrey Gromyko
Statesman.
One of the foremost Foreign Ministers of the Soviet Union. During his 28 years of service, he was the main architect of Soviet foreign policy in the cabinets of Khrushchev and Brezhnev.
Background
Lived: 1909-1989.
Andrey Gromyko came from the Belarusian peasant family. He joined the party in 1931 and was introduced to the diplomatic service, as a protege of Molotov, in 1936.
Career
Gromyko made an outstanding career. He became the Soviet ambassador of the United States (1943-46), United Nations (1946-48) and Great Britain (1952-53). He also participated in the conferences of Yalta and Potsdam.
Foreign Minister
Gromyko survived the change of power in the party corridors and was promoted Foreign Minister in 1957. He stayed on that post for 28 years and was also elected to the Politburo in 1973.
Gromyko became the principal director of Brezhnev’s foreign policy in the 1960s and 1970s. He had a vital role in preparing the peace summit talks between Brezhnev and Nixon. He also urged the non-aggression pact and Helsinki Accords. Gromyko’s influence increased furthermore in the reign of Andropov and Chernenko.
Fall from power
Gromyko was gently demoted by Gorbachev in 1985. He was given an honourable, but powerless position as the Soviet President and Eduard Shevardnadze was appointed as the new Foreign Minister. Gromyko retired in 1988 and died the next year.
Prague Spring