Step 3 of 14 · Thursday 18 October 1962

Gromyko meets Kennedy

Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko tells Kennedy that Soviet aid to Cuba is purely defensive. Kennedy, who has the photos, does not reveal what he knows.

• The ExComm narrows the options to an air strike or a naval blockade.
• Soviet ships keep their course toward Cuba.

On the map

Ship positions are approximate and show the situation of the day, not exact tracks.

All days

1. 16 OctKennedy sees the U-2 photos
2. 17 OctLonger-range sites found
3. 18 OctGromyko meets Kennedy
4. 19 OctThe Joint Chiefs push for an air strike
5. 20 OctKennedy picks the blockade
6. 21 OctThe quarantine force sails
7. 22 OctKennedy tells the world
8. 23 OctThe quarantine is signed
9. 24 OctEyeball to eyeball
10. 25 OctThe first ship is let through
11. 26 OctThe Marucla is boarded
12. 27 OctBlack Saturday
13. 28 OctKhrushchev backs down
14. 20 NovThe quarantine ends