The second major summit between Khrushchev and Kennedy lasted four days and covered a wide variety of topics. Chief among the discussions however were the possibility of continued arms reduction treaties, the tenets of Kosygin’s economic reforms, which were being drawn up for the new year, as well as a very special proposal of Kennedy’s creation: a joint Soviet-American mission to the Moon.
Though the space race had been a major tenet of Kennedy’s campaign in 1960, and his recent promise to reach the Moon before 1970 had upped the ante on the Soviets, the American saw the potential such a mission could hold for relations between the two nations. “Reaching for the stars is the ultimate destiny of the human race,” the President said to the First Secretary over dinner on the final night of the summit. “Join me and together, we can teach the world that despite our differences, mankind can achieve stupendous feats when we combine our efforts.” Khrushchev was initially lukewarm on the idea, but his personal liking of Kennedy, as well as the resources which would be saved if the two superpowers joined forces to reach the Moon eventually convinced him. The First Secretary would bring the idea before the Supreme Soviet before the end of the year for their approval.