Who is Premier Khrushchev from Fail Safe and what is their importance?

Premier Khrushchev is the leader of the Soviet Union. He is the only character in the book who is both drawn from a living person and given that person's name. Khrushchev describes himself as a peasant, but he proves himself to be shrewd and capable of great strength of character. He is portrayed as a soulful, wise, and accomplished leader, although as mistrustful of America as the President is of the Soviet Union.