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November 23, 1979

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with Z Former US Secretary of State Kissinger, 23 November 1979’

In this November 1979 conversation, Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin confronted former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger over his increasingly anti-Soviet rhetoric and alignment with Republican hardliners, which Dobrynin criticized as opportunistic and damaging to détente. Kissinger defended his shift as a tactical response to domestic political pressures and his ambitions to return to government, while still insisting he valued stable Soviet-American relations. The discussion also touched on US fears of instability in Saudi Arabia, the strategic implications of Soviet and Cuban involvement in Africa, and Kissinger's belief in the need for a tacit division of global influence between the superpowers.

March 1, 1978

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with Z. Brzezinski, Assistant to the President of the US for National Security, 1 March 1978'

In this March 1978 conversation, Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and US National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski discussed rising US concerns over Soviet and Cuban military involvement in the Horn of Africa, particularly its perceived threat to Western oil routes and the stability of Saudi Arabia. Dobrynin rejected Brzezinski’s fears as exaggerated, reiterating that the conflict stemmed from Somali aggression and emphasizing that the Soviet presence supported Ethiopia's defense. The meeting ended with both sides restating their entrenched positions, with the US seeking assurances of de-escalation and Soviet withdrawal, which Dobrynin declined to provide.

January 15, 1975

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with Vice President of the United States N. Rockefeller and Secretary of State H. Kissinger, 15 January 1975’

In this January 1975 conversation, Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin met with US Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to discuss the state of US-Soviet relations, focusing on discriminatory trade legislation, strategic arms negotiations, and the upcoming Brezhnev visit. Kissinger and Rockefeller expressed shared concerns over congressional interference in foreign policy and emphasized their commitment to preserving détente, while privately assuring Dobrynin that recent US threats of military intervention in the Middle East were strategic posturing to prevent another oil embargo. The meeting also highlighted US plans for long-term energy independence and efforts to sustain diplomatic momentum despite mounting domestic political challenges.

December 18, 1974

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US Secretary of State of the United States Henry Kissinger, 18 December 1974'

During a December 1974 conversation between Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Kissinger expressed frustration over the public release of a Soviet letter amid sensitive trade legislation in Congress. The discussion also covered U.S. and European coordination on the Pan-European Conference and ongoing Middle East negotiations, with Dobrynin warning that US unilateral actions risked undermining broader peace efforts and US-Soviet relations.

April 28, 1975

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Memorandum of the Conversation with Secretary of State of the United States, H. Kissinger, 28 April 1975'

On April 28, 1975, Kissinger urgently informed the Soviet Union that North Vietnamese forces had begun shelling Saigon’s airport and the U.S. Embassy complex, killing two Marines and disrupting the evacuation, which he claimed violated an assumed two-week timeframe and risked forcing American military intervention. Ambassador Dobrynin dismissed Kissinger’s insinuations of Soviet involvement.

April 22, 1975

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Memorandum of the Conversation with Secretary of State of the United States, H. Kissinger, 22 April 1975'

In an April 22, 1975 conversation, Henry Kissinger conveyed President Ford's concern to the Soviet Union about North Vietnamese troop movements near Saigon's airport, warning that any attempt to trap Americans could force US military intervention, while General Scowcroft clarified that Marines were positioned offshore for potential deployment but Ford preferred to avoid their use if possible.

December 26, 1973

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US President, R. Nixon, 26 December 1973'

Dobrynin presents a lengthy statement from Brezhnev to Nixon. Nixon, Kissinger, and Dobrynin subsequently discuss the conflict in the Middle East, Soviet-American relations, and transatlantic relations.

November 14, 1973

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US President, R. Nixon 14 November 1973'

Nixon receives two Soviet academics. Afterwards, Nixon and Dobrynin discuss Brezhnev's latest letter to Nixon and Nixon's plans to "force" Israel to agree to a peace settlement. Dobrynin comments on Watergate.

November 4, 1973

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US Secretary of State H. Kissinger, 4 November 1973'

Kissinger concedes to Dobrynin that the United States had made a "significant mistake when it rushed to introduce heightened combat readiness."

October 30, 1973

From the Journal of A.F. Dobrynin, 'Record of a Conversation with US President R. Nixon and Secretary of State H. Kissinger, 30 October 1973'

Dobrynin recounts several conversations with Nixon and Kissinger about Soviet-American relations and resolving the crisis in the Middle East.

Pagination