Khrushchev, Nikita (Sergeevich) (1894-1971), Soviet statesman, Premier of the USSR 1958- 64. He was First Secretary of the Communist Party of the USSR 1953- 64 after the death of Stalin, whom he denounced in 1956. He came close to war with the US over the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and also clashed with China, which led to his being ousted by Brezhnev and Kosygin.