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Architects of Modern History
Prince Mikhail Rostislavovich has had the privilege of working with esteemed dignitaries at both the national and international levels, including diplomats, Presidents, Heads of State, and influential leaders. His engagements have allowed him to bridge cultural and professional connections, drawing from his unique heritage and leadership roles. Collaborating with these figures has been profoundly meaningful to him, reinforcing his dedication to service, diplomacy, and global cooperation. These experiences have not only enriched his perspective but have also strengthened his resolve to bring international awareness and opportunities to the local communities he serves.
President George H. W. Bush
President George Herbert Walker Bush
(Forty-First President of the United States of America)
The manner in which Mikhail first met the President was when he was running for the presidency while President Regan's Vice President against Congressman Jack Kemp in 1987. To say that the relationship between them started off rocky would be an understatement. Mikhail would later view him as a remarkable man, a war hero, and a man of great character who had a wonderful sense of humor.
He was the youngest pilot in the Navy during World War Two, flying 58 combat missions. His plane was hit, and he almost lost his life. George was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. He was a congressman in 1966; in 1971, he was ambassador to the United Nations, later United States envoy to China, and finally, before his presidency, he was the director of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1976.
Mikhail remembers that while seated on the balcony of the United States Capital at his swearing-in ceremony, he wondered what his legacy would be. Over the next four years, the President would adeptly handle the country's foreign affairs during a tumultuous time for the nation.
He acted upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union, directed the military to remove Panamanian Dictator Manuel Noriega, and reacted to President Saddam Husseins invasion of Kuwait, creating an international coalition of 28 countries to secure the region.
Mikhail and the President would meet throughout his life until he died in 2018. He was a man who had seen much and whose son would become President and all preside over our nation in tumultuous times. The photograph with Mikhail and the President was taken in 2002 in Minneapolis, the last time he would see him. At this last meeting, the former President's humor came through. Secret service was explicit with me that we needed to place heavy black curtains throughout the Raddison so that guests and others couldn't see him as we moved him from one point to another. But there was a wedding reception, and no curtain or the Secret Service was going to prevent him from going into the reception and asking the Bride and Groom if they wanted a picture of the President attending their wedding. As was said, he was indeed a remarkable man.
Dr. Henry Kissinger
Dr. Henry Kissinger
(Heinz Alfred Kissinger)
Mikhail Rostislavovich had the rare opportunity to spend significant time with one of America's most well-known diplomats of the 20th century, then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
Mikhail received training from the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), which specializes in security training programs for State Department personnel and other federal agencies, and CORE Diplomatic Training from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, known as UNITAR. Which enabled him to negotiate with grace and aplomb throughout his career. Yet his time with Dr. Kissinger is what he remembers most fondly.
Henry had such great stories of his time in office and consulting many of the Federal Agencies in America. He was a great man and won the Prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. He worked for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. He served as the head of the National Security Council and then Secretary of State; some of his most intriguing stories come from his Rapprochement with China, détente with the Soviet Union, and peace negotiations with North Vietnam. It was from Mr. Kissinger that Mikhail would give endearing praise and thanks for Mr. Kissinger mentoring him in Diplomacy. This Photograph of him was taken in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he had the privilege to host a dinner and reception for Dr. Kissinger. The other is one he kept because of its dramatic effect in the Oval Office at the White House.
Vice President Dan Quayle
Vice President James Danforth Quayle
(Forty-Fourth Vice President of the United States of America)
In 1990, a year into President George H. W. Bush's presidency, Mikhail Rostislavovich was requested by the administration to assist the Vice President and his office with their visits across the nation to bolster Republican Governors in their elections. The President wanted to have his party in control of our nation's states to garner support for his legislative agenda. Mikhail grew to appreciate Dan's kind, unassuming demeanor, although often mocked by the national media. During his time in office, he visited forty-seven countries and was appointed chairman of the National Space Council. Mikhail immensely enjoyed the man's beliefs, values, and integrity, especially his uncanny wit and intelligence. This photograph of the vice president and he was taken in Rochester, Minnesota, at one of their most controversial stops during the visits to the Gubernatorial races around the country. It was the vitriolic race between John Grunseth and the Minnesota State Auditor, Arne Carlson. This was a race that the President didn't want to touch, and so he sent the affable Vice President in to represent him. The other is at Admiralty House the residence of the Vice President with President Bush.
General Norman Schwarzkopf
General Norman Schwarzkopf, United States Army
(Stormin Norman)
Mikhail first met the General in 1991, the year before he left the service of the United States Army, it was at an event at the Pentagon. He remembers listening to him speak to the group assembled there. The General was an individual who embodied the values of duty, patriotism, and sacrifice, a man who breathed the principles of leadership and service to our nation. At this event, he harkened to his days at West Point. He said he embraced the academy's rigorous code of conduct. The crucible of West Point had instilled in him a commitment to academic excellence and a profound sense of responsibility to lead with integrity and a strong sense of ethics.
It wasn't until 2009 that the General and Mikhail would cross paths again at a reception and dinner in St. Paul with Colonel John Kline, whom Mikhail had known from the Regan Administration. John was the gentleman who carried our nation's nuclear codes in the "Nuclear Football" for the White House. The General was still a force to be reckoned with; although not public, he had terminal cancer. He had received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and, participating in numerous charitable organizations, he had risen to fame as a public speaker, imparting his wisdom on military tactics and leadership. His conversations that night were filled with charisma and candor. The photograph was taken as Mikhail worked with the general that evening. An evening he will never forget.
Congressman Jack Kemp
Congressman Jack French Kemp
(Buffalo Bills Quarter Back)
Mikhail first made acquaintance with Congressman Kemp in the Spring of 1986 in Washington D.C. at the Capitol Hill Club, at a meeting with President Ronald Regan, Congressman Vin Weber, and Minority Whip Newt Gingerich. He was asked by the four if he would consider the position of Regional Political Director for Mr. Kemp's upcoming Presidential run against Vice President George Bush and United States Senator Robert Dole. Mikhail agreed to the arrangement. Mikhail learned from Jack that tax cuts and economic growth were more critical to America's prosperity than controlling deficits. The Congressman sat on the powerful Appropriations and Budget Committee in the House. He would say that one of his most outstanding achievements was the thirty-three percent tax cut over a three-year period, which was considered a linchpin in President Reagan's tax policy. However, the campaign for the presidency was unsuccessful. Mikhail learned much about American Football through the stories Jack told during his time as the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, which brought him to two Super Bowl wins. Jack was a tough, hard-as-nails kind of man who spoke his mind, and at the same time, he was a kind and gentle warrior and friend; after his loss to Vice President Bush, Jack was nominated to serve as HUD Secretary for the United States. During Jack's speeches around the country, one of Mikhail's memories was Jack's use of a favorite quote from President Kennedy: "A rising tide lifts all boats."
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