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Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet Union's leader during the 1950s and 1960s, utilized the fame of renowned ballerina Maya Plisetskaya as a means of showcasing the country's accomplishments and bolstering its international prestige. Plisetskaya's exceptional talent and global recognition served as a platform for Khrushchev to highlight Soviet artistic and cultural achievements, reinforcing the country's image as a cultural superpower during that era.