On May 22, 1972, President Nixon and his wife arrived at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russia.

During the week that followed the Nixons' arrival, the President had a series of discussions with Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev, and a number of important agreements and treaties were signed.

The most important agreements concerned mutual arms limitation. The first limited the number of anti-ballistic missile systems each country could have. Both nations were permitted to have two sysyems -- one to protect their capital cities, and a second to defend a part of each nation's offensive missile force. Under terms of another agreement, the United States and the Soviet Union pledged not to construct new intercontinental ballistic missile launchers after July 1, 1972.

Nixon and Brezhnev sign the U.S.-Soviet Space Pact.

Other agreements signed by Nixon and Brezhnev provided for mutual exchanges of research, equipment, and personnel in a range of scientific and medical fields, including space exploration.

In between meetings and treaty signings, the President squeezed in a few social and ceremonial activities. On May 24, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow, while Soviet television cameras recorded the event. On May 28, Nixon became the first U.S. President to directly address the Soviet people via Soviet television.

The Nixons attend the Bolshoi Theater for a performance of "Swan Lake," on May 25.

While the President attended to official duties, Mrs. Nixon played the role of goodwill ambassador. Among her many stops was a visit to Moscow's massive GUM department store, where she made several purchases. She was also taken on a tour of several Russian schools.

Mrs. Nixon listens while a Russian schoolgirl recites a poem.

Mrs. Nixon greets students at the Moscow Academic Choreographic School, where she was presented with ballet shoes and a tutu.

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This page was last updated on December 30, 2017.