Why was the outcome of the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev?

The outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis was viewed as a failure for Nikita Khrushchev because it exposed the vulnerability of the Soviet Union in the face of U.S. military power. Despite initially placing missiles in Cuba to assert Soviet influence and deter American aggression, Khrushchev ultimately had to back down and remove them under U.S. pressure, which made him appear weak both domestically and internationally. This perceived loss of prestige contributed to his eventual political decline and was seen as a significant setback in the Cold War rivalry.