Less hard-line than Stalin.

Wanted peace with the West.

Wanted to improve social conditions.

Generally better than Stalin - wanted to give more benefits and freedom to the people.

Closed down Cominform - relaxed control of Russia.

Set up the Warsaw Pact (an alliance similar to the West's NATO).

* Within a few months of coming to power there were 2 anti-Communist demonstrations in Eastern Germany and Khrushchev sent in tanks (no better than Stalin).