Russian diplomats-writers

Denis Ivanovich Fonvizin (1744-1792)

D. I. Fonvizin

A. S. Griboyedov

K. N. Batyushkov

F. I. Tyutchev

D. V. Venevitinov

A. K. Tolstoy

In 1762 he decided to be a translator for the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. In 1763-1769 he served as secretary of the Cabinet Minister I. P. Elagin. In 1769 he became the secretary of the head of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs N. I. Panin, with whom he was brought together by hatred of favoritism, the conviction that Russia needed "fundamental laws."
D. I. Fonvizin advocated universal education, for the gradual - in the process of "enlightenment" - the liberation of the peasants. His ideal political system was an enlightened monarchy. He was known for his translations from French (of the tragedies of Voltaire, philosophical treatises) and the essay book Notes of the First Journey, which gives a vivid picture of pre-revolutionary France. The most significant work of D. I. Fonvizin - the comedy "Undergrowth" - had a significant impact on the development of the Russian theater, on the work of Krylov, Griboyedov, Gogol, Ostrovsky.

Konstantin Nikolayevich Batyushkov (1787-1855)

His poems are characterized by the glorification of the joys of earthly life, the assertion of the poet's inner freedom, his independence from state tyranny.
In 1818-1820, K. N. Batyushkov was the secretary of the Russian diplomatic mission in Naples.
In 1822, Batyushkov fell ill with a hereditary mental illness, which made it impossible for him to continue his literary and diplomatic activities.

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov (1795-1829)

The comedy "Woe from Wit" is one of the peaks of Russian poetry and dramaturgy, the greatest work of Russian and world classics.
In 1817, A. S. Griboedov entered the diplomatic service as an interpreter of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. In 1818-1820 he was secretary to the chargé d'affaires in Tehran. In 1826 he participated in the preparation of the Turkmanchay treatise. In 1828 he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia.
On January 30, 1829, A. S. Griboedov died tragically during the defeat of the Russian diplomatic mission in Tehran. His widow ordered an inscription on the grave monument of the writer and diplomat: “Your mind and deeds are immortal in Russian memory, but why did my love survive you?”

Dmitry Ivanovich Dolgorukov (1797-1867)

Diplomat, poet and publicist.
He served as a secretary in diplomatic missions in Rome (1822-1826), Madrid (1826-1830), London (1830-1831), The Hague (1831-1838), Naples (1838-1842). In 1843 he was appointed counselor of the mission in Constantinople. From 1845 he was minister plenipotentiary at the Tehran court. From 1854 he was a senator.
In 1819 he was a member of the Green Lamp Literary Society. The literary heritage of D. I. Dolgorukov includes travel essays, diaries, travel notes, and poems.

Fyodor Ivanovich Tyutchev (1803-1873)

Contemporaries noted his brilliant mind, humor, talent as an interlocutor. His epigrams, witticisms and aphorisms were on everyone's lips. In 1859, the Sovremennik magazine reproduced a selection of Tyutchev's poems and published an article by N. A. Nekrasov, in which he ranked these poems among the brilliant phenomena of Russian poetry, putting Tyutchev on a par with Pushkin and Lermontov. In 1854, 92 Tyutchev's poems were published in the Sovremennik appendix, and then, on the initiative of I. A. Turgenev, his first poetry collection was published. Leo Tolstoy called Tyutchev "one of those unfortunate people who are immeasurably higher than the crowd among which they live, and therefore are always alone."
F. I. Tyutchev has been in the diplomatic service since 1821. In 1822-1837 he was secretary of the diplomatic mission in Munich. In 1837-1839 he was Chargé d'Affaires under the Kingdom of Sardinia (diplomatic mission in Turin).

Dmitry Vladimirovich Venevitinov (1805-1827)

A brilliant poet, literary critic, philosopher, he was one of the organizers of the Moscow Society of Philosophy, which aimed to study idealistic philosophy and romantic aesthetics. He considered self-knowledge as the path to the harmony of the world and personality as the highest goal of man and mankind. The best works of D. V. Venevitinov: "Poet", "Sacrifice", "Last Poems", "To My Goddess", "Elegy", "Testament", translations from Goethe.
In 1825-1827 he was in the diplomatic service (in the Archives of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs and in the Asian Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry).

Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy (1817-1875)

The novel Prince Silver (1862) brought him wide popularity. Although contemporary criticism of the author did not accept this work, it soon became one of the classic books for children's and youthful reading. The lyrical poems of A. K. Tolstoy were popular. Many of them (of the romance type) have been set to music.
His ballads, epics and satirical poems enjoyed great success. Together with the brothers A. M. and V. M. Zhemchuzhnikov, A. K. Tolstoy created the beloved literary mask of Kozma Prutkov.
He created a dramatic trilogy - "The Death of Ivan the Terrible", "Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich" and "Tsar Boris", which made its author famous not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
A.K. Tolstoy was connected with the diplomatic service by his work in the Archives of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs (1834-1837) and in the Russian mission in Frankfurt am Main under the German Sejm.

Nikolai Platonovich Ogaryov (1813-1877)

Russian poet and publicist, known for his participation in revolutionary activities. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in the Archives) he worked in 1832-1834 - before his arrest and exile.

Konstantin Nikolaevich Leontiev (1831-1891)

Philosopher, writer and publicist, author of novels, literary essays, and many articles. K. N. Leontiev had a significant impact on the spiritual development of Russian society.
K. N. Leontiev was in the diplomatic service in 1863-1871. He began his work at the Russian Foreign Ministry as a dragoman (translator) at the consulate in Crete. In 1864-1867 - and. about. consul at Adrianople. In 1867 he became vice-consul in Tulcea, and in 1869 - consul in Ioannina, from April 1871 - in Thessaloniki.
After a serious illness, K. N. Leontiev leaves diplomacy and devotes himself entirely to scientific and literary creativity.

Alexander Semyonovich Ionin (1837-1900)

A well-known Russian diplomat and writer, who began serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a dragoman of the Russian consulate in Sarajevo in 1857.
In 1860-1864. - Consul in Ioannina, 1869-1875 - Consul in Ragusa (Dubrovnik) and Consul General there until 1878, in 1878-1883. - Resident Minister in Montenegro, 1883-1892. - Ambassador to Brazil In 1883-1884. temporarily sent to Sofia to manage the Russian Consulate General. Participated in the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Argentina (1885), Uruguay (1887), Mexico (1890). In 1897-1900 he was envoy to Switzerland.
The literary activity of A. S. Ionin was very diverse. He wrote articles on literary and poetic topics, which were published, in particular, in I. S. Aksakov's newspaper The Day. He wrote ethnographic essays and travel notes about the Balkans, as well as two comedies. The literary talent of A. S. Ionin also manifested itself in his main work “Across South America” (vols. 1-4, St. Petersburg, 1892-1902), which was popular in Russia and abroad.

Ludmila Davydova

On February 10, the Day of the Diplomatic Worker of Russia is celebrated for the tenth time. Prior to this professional holiday, established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 31, 2002, the Russian Foreign Ministry had already existed for 200 years. It was on February 10, 1549 that the earliest mention of the Ambassadorial Order, the first foreign policy department of Russia, falls. And the Russian Foreign Ministry itself dates back to 1802, when a new diplomatic department was formed by Emperor Alexander I. But these are the most important milestones, the very history of Russian diplomacy is much more ancient and goes back to the first significant bilateral act of the 9th century - the Treaty of Peace and Love with the Byzantine Empire in 860, as a result of which Russia first received international recognition.

Business, predictable, initiative partner

There are a great many important and significant milestones in the history of Russian diplomacy, as well as the names of great diplomats who glorified it. One thing is certain - through all the years and centuries it carries an enviable image of a businesslike, predictable and enterprising partner. After all, the work of a diplomat is difficult, regardless of where he works, he always faces “global” tasks in the host country: to represent his country at a decent level and to improve interstate relations.

By the end of the 15th century, specific diplomacy gave way to autocracy, and by the middle of the 16th century, new horizons and opportunities opened up for the country. The Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire sent his ambassadors to Moscow. Russian diplomats became frequent guests in European countries. Considered with Russia and in the East. It was turning into an influential power with an active international policy. It was then that the Ambassadorial order arose. Since that time, the diplomatic service has been singled out as a special branch of public administration and has received a special status.

In 1718-1720, the Ambassadorial Prikaz was transformed into the Collegium of Foreign Affairs, during which a galaxy of talented diplomats grew up. And in 1802, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was formed by the Manifesto of Emperor Alexander I.

Since the emergence of a unified Russian state, one of the permanent goals of the country's foreign policy has been the desire to enter the wide expanse of international relations, "to live in full harmony with all governments," as one of the most brilliant Russian foreign ministers A.M. Gorchakov (1856-1882).

A diplomat is a guarantee of normal, peaceful communication between states

Russian diplomacy at the end of the 19th century was extraordinarily active in posing questions, and it was she who stood at the origins of many collective undertakings. Suffice it to recall her efforts to convene and hold the Hague Peace Conferences in 1899 and 1907. Here, paraphrasing the classics, we can say that a diplomat is needed so that the guns do not “talk”, for normal, peaceful communication between states.

Self-sacrifice, fidelity to duty, love for the Motherland are the eternal attributes of a Russian diplomat. The death of the famous writer and diplomat, the author of the Turk-Manchai peace treaty with Persia A. Griboyedov, the Russian imperial consul in Bitola A. Rostkovsky, who did a lot to protect the southern Slavs, who were then under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, diplomatic courier T. Nette - a list of many dozens employees of the Russian and Soviet diplomatic services who died in peacetime in the line of duty can be continued.

Russia has always acted as an independent political force, but at the same time it has never withdrawn from participation in world political processes, has not built “great Chinese walls”, but rather tried to “cut a window” to its neighbors. This was done not only during the time of the Great Embassy of Peter I, but also at the Genoa and Lausanne conferences, despite the unwillingness of their hosts not only to listen to the voice of young Soviet Russia, but also to provide its representatives with at least guarantees of life safety, which resulted in the death of V. Vorovsky. Namely, at the Genoa Conference, G. Chicherin, who followed the Russian diplomatic tradition, proclaimed the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutually beneficial cooperation between states with different social systems, the supremacy of diplomatic methods and “moral authority” over violent methods that are still relevant today.

The responsibility and devotion to duty of Russian diplomats manifested themselves especially clearly during the Great Patriotic War, when almost half of the employees of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs went to the front. But even in these difficult conditions, Soviet diplomats managed to build a single anti-Hitler coalition with countries that had difficult relations with the Soviet Union, without which the victory over fascism would have been even more expensive.

In addition, Soviet diplomacy played a significant role in the process of the collapse of the fascist bloc. The envoy of the USSR in Sweden, A. Kollontai, saved more than one thousand human lives, conducting through intermediaries difficult, but extremely important negotiations with Finland, which fought on the side of Germany. The result of this was the internment of an entire group of Nazi troops on Finnish territory.

Immediately after the war, Soviet diplomacy took an active part in the creation of the United Nations.

Seeking an understanding of its policy, Russia strives for a dialogue in which, above all, it is ready to listen and understand the other side. And this is the continuity of the traditional values ​​of the Russian diplomatic service, which have become the basis of modern Russian diplomacy.

Word to famous people in Lithuania:

Juozas BUDRAYTIS, People's Artist of Lithuania, diplomat:

I had to communicate with many Russian diplomats when I was the cultural attache of the Lithuanian Embassy in Russia. Most of the contacts were, of course, in the field of culture, but the impression is firm - high-quality Russian diplomacy has strong roots and traditions. Their foundation was laid back in the time of Peter I. Russian diplomats have always been famous for their professionalism. The young diplomats with whom I had to communicate at the Diplomatic Academy are brought up on these glorious traditions, they have something to learn for development in their work. I know that the Russian Foreign Ministry is very demanding on the professional training of diplomats. A strong school in the diplomatic field helps the country achieve success in business. And we know that Russia's voice has always been significant in international politics. Lithuania is a young country, it also has its own traditions, our cooperation with Russia is developing and benefiting our countries.

Working in Russia, I felt on the part of its diplomats, with whom I had to communicate, exceptional benevolence and responsiveness. I was allowed to get acquainted with the documents of Y. Baltrushaitis in the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was personally acquainted with some Russian ambassadors and, I must say, communication with representatives of this diplomatic school was useful for me.

Russia is a big country, and it can boast of its culture, diplomacy, its history. We can say that there is a lot to learn.

I would like to wish Russian diplomats further development and flourishing of their professionalism. I would like good cooperation between the diplomats of Russia and Lithuania, so that our relations are friendly, agreements in various areas are successful, personal contacts that help diplomats in their work are warm and useful.

Vityanis ANDRIUKAYTIS, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs:

Russian diplomacy has always been deeply intellectual, based on the classical diplomatic traditions of Europe, was fluent in different languages, and was at a high European level. This is one of the strongest diplomatic schools, along with the diplomacy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, France, and the German Empire.

Russian diplomacy is still weighty, active and significant in the world. The diplomatic corps of Russia has always been famous for its powerful analytical apparatus, its resources, capabilities, and human qualities. Such strong traditions and modern achievements can enter the treasury of world diplomacy.

I would like to wish Russian diplomacy to continue its glorious traditions, work for the benefit of Russia and all mankind, and, as the classic said, "sow the reasonable, the good, the eternal." After all, why does the world need diplomacy? To avoid wars, conflicts, hate speech, etc. So that diplomats always have in their hands, on the one hand, the Holy Scriptures, and on the other, the Dove of Peace.

Prof. Dr. Kazimira PRUNSKIENE, First Prime Minister of independent Lithuania, Chairman of the Lithuanian People's Party:

This is a holiday not only for Russia, its diplomatic service, the system of foreign relations, but also for countries that have diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. This applies even more so to the neighbors, to the Republic of Lithuania, which has a common border and experience of many years of significant cooperation with the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation.

The larger, stronger and more influential a country, the more important its diplomacy plays in the world community. When foreign policy is oriented towards the peaceful coexistence of countries, stable security and cooperation, diplomacy is the most important tool.

I sincerely congratulate the Russian diplomatic service, the diplomats of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Lithuania on their professional holiday. I wish that the activities of the diplomats of modern and peaceful Russia continue to make a significant contribution to peaceful transformations and the best traditions of coexistence between the countries of Europe, Asia and the entire world community.

Andrey FOMIN, Chairman of the Republican Council of Russian Compatriots:

The Russian diplomatic service has centuries-old and rich traditions of selfless service to the Fatherland. For more than a thousand years of history, it has played an outstanding role in the development of the Russian state, international relations and ties, and in shaping the modern world image.

Modern Russian diplomacy firmly adheres to the principles of respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and regions. However, it just as resolutely opposes any aggression and injustice that threatens the life and safety of people, actively defends universal human values.

I am especially pleased that in recent years the Russian Foreign Ministry has been paying attention to work with compatriots, and it has been doing it very delicately and kindly. The position of Russian diplomacy has become partnership with organizations and associations of compatriots, based on respect for their civil rights, support for cultural and humanitarian initiatives, concern for the preservation of the phenomena of Russian and multinational Russian culture in different countries. It is unlikely that many large-scale and serious cultural projects: festivals, holidays, Days of Culture, conferences would be feasible in Lithuania without the benevolent and disinterested support of Russian diplomatic missions.

On the Day of the Diplomatic Worker, I would like to sincerely congratulate the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Lithuania V.V. Chkhikvadze, all the employees of the Embassy and the Consulate General of Russia in Klaipeda and wish them great success in their difficult, but very noble and responsible service for the benefit of the Fatherland - Russia.

Arturas ZUOKAS, Mayor of Vilnius:

I have always admired how beautiful cooperation between the peoples of Lithuania and Russia can be, regardless of the recklessly politicized escalation of Lithuanian-Russian relations. One does not need to look far for evidence of this - the Russian national community, the second largest in the capital, is one of the most active organizers of various cultural events. Vilnius maintains international relations with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Irkutsk, with which we exchange delegations, share experience, and develop cultural cooperation.

I am glad that at the end of last year a monument to the famous stage designer, graphic artist and artist of the 20th century Mstislav Dobuzhinsky was unveiled in Vilnius, in the summer we celebrated the Day of Russia together at the festival in Vingis Park, and in the winter this year for the first time we left a New Year tree on the Cathedral Square to celebrate Orthodox Christmas together.

I believe that friendship and cooperation between our peoples will continue to develop, that they will become even closer.

Modestas PAULAUSKAS, Olympic champion, world and European champion:

The work of Russian diplomacy, its traditions and professionalism are admirable. Lithuania and Russia are close neighbors, we have a lot in common in history, we were related by different stages of life - joyful and sad, so we can judge this firsthand. I always think that as neighbors we should communicate even more intensely and openly. Thanks to the activities of Russian diplomats, this is becoming more and more real - there are preferential regimes for crossing borders, athletes can actively communicate, improve their skills, make friends and thus support progress and peace. For example, recently another basketball match took place in Moscow as part of the VTB United League, initiated by Russia. Athletes were given a very warm and cordial welcome.

I would like to wish Russian diplomats continued success in their difficult work.

February 10 is the Day of the Diplomatic Worker in Russia. This holiday was established by Decree of the President of Russia No. 1279 of October 31, 2002 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Russian Foreign Ministry. On this day, the most famous representatives of the diplomatic service who defended the interests of Russia are remembered.

Ivan Mikhailovich Viskovaty was born in the first half of the 16th century. The first clerk of the Ambassadorial Order (1549-1570) created by Ivan IV (the Terrible), from the foundation of which the Russian diplomatic service traces its history. He played a prominent role in the foreign policy of Russia, was one of the supporters of the Livonian War of 1558-1583. In 1562, he achieved the conclusion of an alliance treaty with Denmark and an agreement on a twenty-year truce with Sweden on favorable terms for Russia. He was suspected by Ivan IV of participating in a boyar conspiracy and executed on July 25, 1570 in Moscow.

Afanasy Lavrentievich Ordin-Nashchokin was born in 1605 in Pskov. In 1642 he participated in the delimitation of the new Russian-Swedish border after the Peace of Stolbov. Having achieved in 1667 the signing of the Andrusovsky truce with Poland, which was beneficial for Russia, he received the rank of boyar and became the head of the Ambassadorial Order. In 1671 he was suspended from service in the Posolsky order, returned to Pskov and took the vows under the name "Anthony" in the Krypetsky monastery. He died in 1680 in Pskov.

Boris Ivanovich Kurakin was born on July 20, 1676 in Moscow. Prince. The first permanent ambassador of Russia abroad. From 1708 to 1712 he was the representative of Russia in London, Hanover and The Hague, in 1713 he participated in the Utrecht Congress as a plenipotentiary representative of Russia, from 1716 he was ambassador in Paris. In 1722, Peter I entrusted him with the leadership of all Russian ambassadors accredited to European courts. He died on December 17, 1727 in Paris.

Andrei Ivanovich Osterman (Heinrich Johann Friedrich) was born on June 9, 1686 in the city of Bochum (Germany). Graph. Member of the Supreme Privy Council. In fact, he led the domestic and foreign policy of Russia under Anna Ioannovna. Largely due to the efforts of Osterman, in 1721, the Treaty of Nystadt, which was beneficial for Russia, was signed, according to which “eternal, true and unbroken peace on land and water” was established between Russia and Sweden. Thanks to Osterman, in 1726 Russia concluded an allied treaty with Austria, which retained its significance for the entire 18th century. After the palace coup of 1741, which elevated Elizaveta Petrovna to the throne, he was sent into exile in Siberia to the city of Berezov, where he died on May 20, 1747.

Alexei Petrovich Bestuzhev-Ryumin was born on May 22, 1693 in Moscow. Graph. In 1720 he was appointed resident in Denmark. In 1724, he obtained from the Danish king the recognition of the imperial title for Peter I and the right of duty-free passage of Russian ships through the Sound Strait. In 1731 he was moved as a resident to Hamburg, since 1732 he was an extraordinary ambassador in the Lower Saxon district, in 1734 he was moved as a resident to Denmark. In 1741 he was granted the Grand Chancellor and until 1757 he actually led the foreign policy of Russia. He died on April 10, 1766 in St. Petersburg.

Nikita Ivanovich Panin was born on September 18, 1718 in Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland). Graph. In 1747 he was appointed ambassador to Denmark, a few months later he was moved to Stockholm, where he stayed until 1759, signing a significant Russian-Swedish declaration in 1758. One of the closest devotees of Catherine II, headed the Collegium of Foreign Affairs (1763-1781). He put forward a project to create a "Northern System" (an alliance of northern powers - Russia, Prussia, England, Denmark, Sweden and Poland), signed the Petersburg Union Treaty with Prussia (1764), concluded an agreement with Denmark (1765), a trade agreement with Great Britain (1766) . He died on May 31, 1783 in St. Petersburg.

Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov was born on June 4, 1798 in Gapsala (now Haapsalu, Estonia). Most Serene Prince (1871), chancellor (1867), member of the State Council (1862), honorary member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences (1856). From 1817 in the diplomatic service, in 1856-1882 Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1871, he achieved the abolition of the restrictive clauses of the Paris Peace Treaty of 1856. Member of the creation of the "Union of the Three Emperors". He died on February 27, 1883 in Germany in the city of Baden-Baden.

Georgy Vasilyevich Chicherin was born on November 12, 1872 in the village of Karaul, Kirsanovsky district, Tambov province. People's Commissar (People's Commissar) for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR (since 1923 - the USSR) (1918‑1930). As part of the Soviet delegation, he signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (1918). He headed the Soviet delegation at the Genoa Conference (1922). Signed the Treaty of Rapallo (1922). He died on July 7, 1936 in Moscow.

Alexandra Fedorovna Kollontai was born on April 1, 1872 in St. Petersburg. She had the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. She has held various diplomatic posts in Norway, Mexico, and Sweden. She played an important role in ending the war of 1939-1940 between Russia and Finland. In 1944, in the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Sweden, Kollontai took on the role of mediator in negotiations on Finland's withdrawal from the war. In 1945-1952 she was in responsible work in the central office of the NKID (People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, since 1946 - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of the USSR. She died on March 9, 1952 in Moscow.

Maxim Maksimovich Litvinov (Max Moiseevich Wallach) was born on July 4, 1876 in the city of Bialystok, Grodno province (now Poland). Since 1918 he was a member of the board of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, since 1920 he was the plenipotentiary representative of the RSFSR in Estonia. From 1921 to 1930 - Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR (since 1923 - the USSR). In 1930-1939 - People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR. He contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, the admission of the USSR to the League of Nations, in which he represented the USSR in 1934-1938. One of the authors of the concept of "collective security system" against the threat of German aggression. In 1939 he was dismissed, in 1941-1946 he was returned to the post of Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR. He died on December 31, 1951 in Moscow.

Andrei Andreyevich Gromyko was born on July 18, 1909 in Belarus in the village of Starye Gromyki, Gomel district, Mogilev province. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR (1957-1985). Ambassador of the USSR to the USA (1943‑1946). Permanent Representative of the USSR to the UN and at the same time Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR (1946-1948). He headed the USSR delegation at the Dumbarton Oaks conference on the creation of the UN (1944). Signed an agreement on the prohibition of tests of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water (1963), an agreement on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons (1968), a Soviet-American agreement on the prevention of nuclear war (1973) and an agreement between the USSR and the USA on the limitation of strategic offensive armaments (1979). In 1985-1988 he worked as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. He died on July 2, 1989 in Moscow.

Anatoly Fedorovich Dobrynin was born on November 16, 1919 in the Moscow region in the village of Krasnaya Gorka. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador. He served as the Ambassador of the USSR to the USA for 24 years (1962-1986). He played a crucial role in resolving the Caribbean crisis and stabilizing Soviet-American relations (ending the so-called "cold war" between the USSR and the USA). Hero of Socialist Labor, Honored Worker of the Diplomatic Service of the Russian Federation, Honorary Doctor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lives in Moscow.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources

On February 20, Vitaly Churkin, one of the most prominent diplomats of modern Russia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, suddenly died in New York at the age of 64. This loss was a real shock to the country and once again reminded all of us of the importance of the profession of a diplomat, of their enormous contribution to international relations. "Typical Moscow" invites readers to remember people whose names are inextricably linked with Russian diplomacy, and whose death was a real shock to the country.

Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov (1795 - 1829)

We all know Griboyedov as a great playwright and composer, but Alexander Sergeevich remained a professional diplomat until the end of his life. A nobleman, a polyglot, an outstanding student, a successful duellist and freemason, Griboyedov nevertheless became famous for his art, although he did not stop his diplomatic service from the moment he graduated from Moscow University. It seems that it was she who formed a man of incredible intelligence from Griboedov, who gave not only Russia, but the whole world "Woe from Wit" and a dozen magnificent piano works, which rightfully replenished the rich fund of Russian classical music.

Despite such a contribution to Russian art, Griboyedov always remained a diplomat and passed away as a diplomat. His death came tragically, in Tehran, where Alexander Sergeevich served as the ambassador of the Russian Empire in Persia, when a mob of angry religious fanatics defeated the embassy and killed everyone who was there, with the exception of the embassy secretary.

The life and death of Griboyedov became significant for Russia. His exclusivity became the limit of the efforts of diplomats of the future, and his death seriously raised the question of the security of Russian diplomatic missions, as well as the danger and importance of the diplomatic service.

Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov (1798 - 1883)

A contemporary of the Griboyedov we mentioned, Alexander Gorchakov was undoubtedly one of the greatest diplomats in all of Russian history. He headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire for 25 years and led the country's foreign policy in times of great achievements: from European wars to the powerful development of the then system of international relations.

A difficult mission fell to Gorchakov's lot - to make sure that Russia minimizes its losses incurred during the disastrous Crimean War. Alexander Mikhailovich managed not only to eventually achieve a revision of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Crimean War in 1856, but also to promote the Russian Empire to the ranks of the advanced diplomatic states of Europe.

The tandem of Gorchakov and Emperor Alexander II during the years of the latter's reign made it possible to solve many problems of the state's foreign policy and gradually bring Russia to the forefront of international relations.

Andrei Andreevich Gromyko (1909 - 1989)

Andrei Andreevich Gromyko is deservedly the most respected diplomat in Soviet, if not the entire history of Russia. And this is not just so, because this diplomat set an absolute record for the length of his tenure as Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs - 28 years. Moreover, Gromyko had the difficult task of preventing the Third World War, on the threshold of which the world stood in the Cold War era.

Gromyko's merit can be credited not only with the preservation of peace without serious clashes between the two systems - Western and communist - but also with his constant initiative towards strengthening peace. Gromyko proposed many international treaties on disarmament, the reduction and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the ban on tests of weapons of mass destruction, and much more. Most of the documents were accepted by the international community and are still being implemented.

Nevertheless, Gromyko did not forget about the interests of his own state and conducted a dialogue with the main opponents on the world stage (primarily the United States) from a strong position, which made it possible to speak of him as a tough and pragmatic diplomat who knows his business and defends the ideals of the state. for whose benefit he worked.

Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov (1929 - 2015)

Despite the fact that Primakov's professional diplomatic career as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation was limited to only two years, he will forever remain among the most prominent Russian foreign policy figures. Mainly, his main merit as head of the Foreign Ministry was that under him Russian diplomacy regained the strength and dignity lost after the collapse of the USSR. In addition, Primakov set a new tone for the entire Russian diplomacy, which provoked a new round of youth interest in a diplomatic career.

It was thanks to Yevgeny Maksimovich that Russia, as they say now, began to “turn to the East”, that is, it stopped focusing purely on Europe, and improved relations with China, India and other large developing states.

Russia has always been famous for its diplomacy, and this is a fact that cannot be challenged by any arguments. And when people who have given themselves to serving the foreign policy interests of their country die, their death is a tragedy and mourning for the entire nation. Therefore, we must always remember our heroes and honor their memory as people who partly help us not to know what war is. After all, one of the main goals of diplomacy is to prevent war and maintain peace.

(All images taken from Wikimedia)

February 10 is the Day of the Diplomatic Worker of the Russian Federation. The first professional foreign policy department of Russia was the Posolsky Prikaz, established 469 years ago. However, the domestic diplomatic service originated much earlier. The first Russian embassy appeared in 838 in Constantinople. The role and importance of the diplomatic service increased along with the growth of the country's influence on the world stage. On the formation of Russian diplomacy - in the material RT.

• Emblem of the Russian Empire
• globallookpress.com
• Nikolay Orlov

Researchers continue to argue about what event became the starting point in the history of Russian diplomacy. Officially, the date of the formation of the Ambassadorial Order - February 10, 1549, was taken as the basis for the establishment of the Day of the Diplomatic Worker.

However, diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy was born with the advent of the early feudal Russian state with its centers in Kyiv and Veliky Novgorod. The first representative body of the interests of Russia was the embassy in Constantinople, which was opened in 838.

In 839, a Russian embassy was established in the Frankish kingdom. One of the first international legal acts of Ancient Russia was the treaty "On Peace and Love" with the Byzantine Empire, according to which Constantinople was obliged to pay tribute to Kyiv.

In the 9th-11th centuries, the East Slavic tribes constantly fought with their neighbors - Byzantium and the nomadic southern peoples (Khazars, Pechenegs, Polovtsy). Of great importance for the development of statehood (and, as a result, diplomacy) was the baptism of Russia in 988. According to legend, Prince Vladimir made a choice in favor of Christianity after a conversation with foreign ambassadors.

• "Grand Duke Vladimir chooses faith" (unknown author, 1822)

In the 11th century, Russia turned into an influential player in the European arena. The practice of dynastic marriages contributed to the expansion of contacts with the Western world. In 1019, Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kyiv married the daughter of the king of Sweden, Ingigerda.

Almost all the children of the Kyiv prince intermarried with European aristocratic houses. was given in marriage to the French king Henry I, Elizabeth - to the Norwegian king Harald the Severe, Anastasia - to the king of Hungary Andras I.

The sons of Yaroslav, at the insistence of their father, also found wives abroad. Izyaslav married the daughter of the Polish king Gertrude, Svyatoslav - the Austrian princess Oda, Vsevolod - the daughter of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IX.

“Unfortunately, we know very little about the diplomacy of Ancient Russia and the work of the so-called embassies. On the one hand, the foreign policy of Russia was quite active, on the other hand, we don’t know anything about officials whose main duties included interaction with other powers, ”said Vladimir Vinokurov, professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, in an interview with RT.

According to the expert, with the beginning of the feudal fragmentation of the ancient Russian state (second half of the 11th century), the need for diplomacy most likely disappeared. Vinokurov also complained about the lack of data on the diplomatic activities of Russia during the Mongol-Tatar yoke (1238-1480).

“The fundamental condition for the existence of diplomacy is a single and independent state. Fragmented and dependent territories have no common tasks, no sovereign foreign policy, which means there is no need for intensive external contacts and outward defense of interests. Therefore, with the collapse of a united Russia, diplomacy could also disappear, ”explained Vinokurov.

From Duma to Order

The need for diplomatic art, according to Vinokurov, arose in Russia with the formation of a centralized Russian state in the 15th century. Issues of external relations were dealt with directly by the Grand Duke and members of the Boyar Duma.

Historians call Ivan III the most skillful diplomat of that era, who pursued an effective foreign policy. It was under him that the Byzantine double-headed eagle became the state emblem of Russia. This determined the civilizational continuity of the Russian state as an alternative center of power on the Eurasian continent.

However, a professional approach to diplomacy prevailed only during the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible. On February 10, 1549, he established the Posolsky Prikaz, the executive body responsible for Moscow's foreign relations.

Duma clerk Ivan Mikhailovich Viskovaty was appointed head of the order. He is considered the first professional diplomat. Viskovatyi negotiated with the Livonian Order (conclusion of peace), Denmark (treaty of military alliance) and Sweden (a truce agreement for 20 years).

The personnel of the Ambassadorial Order were clerks and clerks (assistants who performed office work). Structurally, this authority was divided into three territorial administrations (povity). One branch was responsible for relations with Europe, and the other two - with the eastern countries.

“The clerks accepted the letters brought by the ambassadors, conducted preliminary negotiations, attended the receptions of foreign diplomats, checked drafts of response letters, and issued instructions to the ambassadors sent to meet foreign ambassadors. They also headed the embassies, ”writes the former Russian ambassador to Yugoslavia Valery Egoshkin in the article“ A Little About the Russian Diplomatic Service ”.

Permanent diplomatic missions of Russia abroad began to appear in the 30s of the 17th century. The impetus for this was the 30-year war in Europe (1618-1648) and the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), which laid the foundation for the first ever system of international relations.

Establishment of the College

Russian diplomacy made a real breakthrough during the reign. The era of his reign is associated with the introduction of Western innovations in the socio-political structure. Military victories and economic success contributed to the fact that Russia entered the circle of leading European powers.

In December 1718, the Ambassadorial Order was transformed into the Collegium of Foreign Affairs (KID). On February 24, 1720, the regulations of the new body were approved. The CFA was based on the experience of the state administration system of the Swedish kingdom. Peter I considered the system of orders too clumsy.

The KID consisted of the Presence (governing body) and the Chancellery (executive institution). The board was headed by the president, who was awarded the title of chancellor. At the same time, the President of the CFA did not have the right to make decisions without the approval of the members of the Presence, assessors (assessors) and actual privy councillors.

Under the control of the KID were embassies and other diplomatic missions of Russia abroad. The Board performed a wide range of functions: ensuring the confidentiality of the emperor's correspondence, preparing messages (letters, rescripts, resolutions, declarations) for diplomatic missions and foreign states, issuing foreign passports and resolving issues of the stay of foreign citizens. In addition to external relations, the KID exercised control over nomadic and newly annexed peoples.

The office was divided into two departments. The first was directly involved in foreign relations, the second - financial issues and economic support for the activities of diplomatic institutions, and also interacted with the peoples of Russia, including the Ural Cossacks and Little Russia (part of modern Ukraine).

“The appearance of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs was caused by an urgent need. By the end of the Petrine era, Russia had become a mighty empire, a full-fledged participant in European politics. Of course, such a development of events required the emergence of a modern diplomatic institution, where only specialists work,” Vinokurov said.

The “professionalization” of the diplomatic service was facilitated by the adoption by Peter I of the “Table of Ranks” (February 4, 1722). Having established 14 military and civil ranks, the autocrat created a career ladder for diplomatic workers. Each KID official was obliged to start his service from the lowest rank.

“The contribution of Peter I to the development of the diplomatic service was, without a doubt, enormous. On the one hand, he sometimes too zealously copied Western institutions, on the other hand, it was only under him that a school of professional diplomats arose in Russia. Russia in the field of diplomacy lagged behind Europe by 30 years. Peter significantly reduced this gigantic gap, ”explained Vinokurov.

The heyday of Russian diplomacy of the 18th century falls on the period of government, which increased Russia's influence in the world. In the European theater, diplomats were actively negotiating various coalition agreements. In the south, they established a system for managing the annexed territories.

• Presentation of a letter to Empress Catherine II (Ivan Miodushevsky, 1861)

One of the most significant achievements of the policy of Catherine II was the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, the main geopolitical rival of St. Petersburg. According to experts from the Russian Foreign Ministry, a major success of Russian diplomacy was the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace treaty (1774) with Turkey, which marked the beginning of the annexation of Crimea.

The appearance of the ministry

The most important milestone in the history of Russian diplomacy is the creation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which became the prototype of the modern diplomatic department.

The manifesto establishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was signed on September 20, 1802. However, the process of forming a new executive body dragged on for 30 years - the CFA was abolished only in 1832.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a more ramified structure than the Collegium. Several new departments and dozens of subdivisions appeared within the ministry. The central apparatus included the Chancellery, the Department of Internal Relations, the Asian Department and the Department of Personnel and Economic Affairs, the Archival Service, the Commission for the Publication of State Letters and Treaties.

In 1839, the staff of the central apparatus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consisted of 535 people. However, in 1868, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, Alexander Gorchakov, carried out a reform, reducing the staff in St. Petersburg to 134 officials. Subsequently, the staffing of the ministry began to grow again.

• Portrait of His Serene Highness Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire (Nikolai Bogatsky, 1873)

Russian diplomatic missions abroad were divided into embassies (large European states), residencies (representations in small countries and lands dependent on St. Petersburg), general consulates, consulates, vice-consulates and consular agencies.

In the 19th century, there was a rapid growth in the number of Russian diplomatic missions. In 1758, there were only 11 permanent foreign missions in the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in 1868 their number increased to 102. In 1897, there were 147 Russian diplomatic missions abroad, in 1903 - 173, and in 1913 - over 200.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire tried to comply with the latest trends. For example, during the reform of the department, which began in the mid-1900s, the Press Department was established - an analogue of the modern Department of Information and Press (press service). The department monitored the foreign press and provided "public opinion with explanations regarding the activities of the ministry."

After the revolution, the Bolsheviks, on the basis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, created the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR (NKID). The new body was headed by professional diplomat Georgy Chicherin, who in the 1920s made a huge contribution to the international recognition of the young socialist republic.

In 1946, the NKID was transformed into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR. In 1953, Soviet diplomats moved from the apartment building of the First Russian Insurance Company on Bolshaya Lubyanka to the Stalinist skyscraper on Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square.

• View from the Borodino Bridge to Smolenskaya Square and the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, 1995
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• Runes

The basis of the diplomatic staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always been bright representatives of the intellectual and creative elite. In particular, the classics of Russian literature were in the diplomatic service: Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov (head of the embassy in Tehran), Konstantin Nikolayevich Batyushkov (employee of the diplomatic mission in Italy), Fyodor Ivanovich Tyutchev (freelance attache in Munich), Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy (employee of the Russian mission to the German Sejm).

“I attribute the abundance of talented and brilliant personnel in the Foreign Ministry to the fact that a diplomat must be a versatile person. His weapons are intelligence, ingenuity, the ability to find an approach to a person, to feel his strengths and weaknesses. Mediocrity, even if well educated, will not achieve success in the field of diplomacy,” Vinokurov concluded.