Andrei Gromyko vs Vojislav Kostunica

Gromyko became Soviet ambassador to the US during World War II, participating in the Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam conferences. This role established him as a key Soviet diplomat in shaping post-war relations with the Western Allies.

Gromyko succeeded Dmitri Shepilov as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. He held this position for 28 years, becoming the longest-serving foreign minister in Soviet history and a central figure in Cold War diplomacy.

Gromyko met with US President John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, initially denying the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba. He later participated in the secret negotiations that led to the removal of missiles, averting nuclear war.

Gromyko signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons on behalf of the Soviet Union. The treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament, becoming a cornerstone of international arms control.

Gromyko played a key role in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, which produced the Helsinki Final Act. The accords recognized post-World War II borders in Europe and included commitments to human rights, influencing Soviet bloc dissidents.

Gromyko became the nominal head of state of the Soviet Union as Chairman of the Presidium. He held this largely ceremonial position until 1988, during the early years of Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms, before retiring.

Kostunica was elected President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia after defeating Slobodan Milosevic in the presidential election. His victory marked the end of Milosevic's rule and the beginning of democratic transition.

Kostunica oversaw the readmission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations. The country had been suspended from the UN during the Milosevic era due to the wars in the former Yugoslavia.

Kostunica, as Prime Minister of Serbia, strongly opposed the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. He pursued diplomatic and legal measures to prevent international recognition of Kosovo's independence.