October 18, 1962

• President Kennedy meets with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrie Gromyko, asserting to him that the United States will not tolerate Soviet missiles in Cuba.  Gromyko denies the presence of Soviet weapons on the island, assuring Kennedy that Soviet aid to Cuba has only been to aid the island's "defensive capabilities".
• In a further meeting with EXCOMM, the debate oscillates between an air strike or blockade as methods of dealing with Cuba. Kennedy affirms that there will be no declaration of war but rather a limited blockade for a limited purpose, to see how the Soviets respond, especially with regards to Berlin.
• President Kennedy concludes that he will go ahead with his political speeches to maintain cover until the weekend.

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