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He was the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs. People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the USSR

The new socialist foreign policy also required the creation of a new diplomatic system. The organization of a new special body was an urgent matter, since the most important negotiations with Germany and its allies were ahead. The new government began its activities with the liquidation of old ministries and the creation of new government bodies - people's commissariats.

The People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs was formed in accordance with the decree of the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets "On the establishment of the Council of People's Commissars", adopted on October 26, 1917. In the Constitution of the RSFSR of 1918, in Article 43, the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs was named the first among those listed in it 18 people's commissariats, which indicates the extreme importance of its establishment. 1 Emphasizing this, the manager of the affairs of the Council of People's Commissars V.D. Bonch-Bruevich noted: “The first commissariat that we... organized was a commissariat for foreign affairs, what life itself pushed us to do.” Leon Trotsky was appointed the first People's Commissar. In fact, he was least suited for diplomatic work, but for promoting the ideas of the revolution it was difficult to find a more suitable candidate. 2

As of November 1917, the NKID consisted of the People's Commissar and his two commissioners, the Prisoners of War Department, the Legal Department, the Cipher Department, the Printing Department, the Visa Department, the Personnel Department, the People's Commissar Secretariat, the Eastern Department, the Western Department, the Economic Department and the Registry. It also included: the Commission on Romanian Affairs, the Interdepartmental Commission for the Implementation of the Peace Treaty, the Academy, and archives. For reference foreign trade a corresponding department was also organized. The NKID initially had 30 employees, from December 26, 1917 - 126 employees, by February 1918 - almost 200 people.

In order to stop and further prevent counter-revolutionary activities, in the fall of 1917, the NKID invited all employees of embassies and consulates to immediately inform them whether they would carry out the policy of the Soviet government. In case of refusal, the government planned to transfer their powers to employees of lower rank, who turned out to be more accommodating. It was obvious that representatives of the previous government would not obey the NKID. In this regard, on November 26, 1917, an order was given to dismiss 28 embassy employees. At this time there was practically no one to work in the People's Commissariat. However, the new foreign policy body was extremely important, and it was impossible to allow it to fade in the first stages of development. In this regard, active people with organizational abilities who earned the trust of the party leadership were massively appointed to responsible positions. Only a few years later, the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs had predominantly highly qualified workers.

The People's Commissariat was composed of members of the Bolshevik Party who actively participated in the international labor movement and, as a rule, had considerable political experience. Some of them spent many years in exile and managed to study the situation in various countries, learn several languages. Such people were especially useful in the commissariat.

Initially, the main activity of the NKID was recognized not as purely diplomatic work, but rather as informational activities that had to be carried out abroad. However, reality forced us to care not only about information (propaganda) activities, but also to think about establishing diplomatic contacts with other countries, without which it was impossible to bring Russia out of the diplomatic isolation in which it found itself after October 1917. 3

The initial tasks of the NKID included:

    establishing external relations Soviet state

    preparation and conduct of peace negotiations with the aim of exiting the war

    ensuring the implementation of foreign trade transactions

    informing the world community about the political course of the new government

    facilitating the transfer of funds through the Red Cross for the maintenance of Russian prisoners of war and resolving questions about their future fate

Already in the first days of Soviet power, the Bolsheviks faced the question of organizing Soviet representations abroad. This was explained by the fact that many former diplomats and ambassadors joined the fight against Soviet power.

In the fall of 1917, V.V. became the representative of the RSFSR in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Vorovsky. Authorized representative Soviet Russia in England became M.M. Litvinov. L.B. Krasin began to carry out important diplomatic tasks, I.I. became his assistant. May. The problem was that the capitalist states refused to accept the Soviet government, and, accordingly, its diplomats and ambassadors.

On October 18, the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree on the establishment of Soviet consulates abroad. On June 30, 1918, the “Regulations on the work of the NKID” were approved, which determined its internal structure and the functions of foreign missions.

Later, some changes took place in the structure of the People's Commissariat: a separate office of the Deputy People's Commissar was created, a department of money transfers and loans was included in the Department of Personal Economy, the Western Department was renamed the Department of the West with a department of Central Europe. A diplomatic courier desk and a general reception desk were created.

In January 1918, G.V. became Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs. Chicherin. In fact, he already was, because... Trotius was in Brest-Litovsk all the time for negotiations. And after their disruption and violation of the orders of the Central Committee of the Party in March 1918, Trotsky was removed from office. On March 30, Chicherin officially took his place. By this time, he was already characterized by the top leadership of the party as an excellent worker.

Due to the need to establish external contacts, the need for professionally trained diplomatic personnel for the new state began to increase. In the fall of 1920, on the initiative of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, the first short-term training courses for diplomatic workers were formed and began their first work. 30 students signed up for the first session, but only 17 completed it. However, prominent figures in the field international relations failed to prepare. In January 1921, new six-month courses were held, which already had some benefit and contributed to the training of diplomatic and foreign trade workers in Soviet Russia.

An important criterion for selection into the NKID staff was membership in the Communist Party. This principle was considered particularly significant. Lenin, explaining the reasons for the impeccable composition of the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, said that “there, firstly, diplomats of the old brand could not remain in any noticeable proportion,” and secondly, “The People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs works under the direct leadership of our Central Committee” 4

The principles of class and party affiliation were preserved in the NKID in the future, right up to the collapse of the USSR and not only in the Commissariat for Foreign Affairs. A procedure had developed in which it was impossible to appoint a person to a leadership position in the commissariat without the approval of the Secretariat of the Central Committee and his detailed verification by the Secretariat. The entire diplomatic service was actually under the leadership and control of the highest party bodies.

Soviet Russia was worthily represented in the international arena by G.V. Chicherin, M.M. Litvinov, L.B. Krasin, A.M. Kolontai, I.M. Maisky, A.A. Gromyko, Ya.A. Malik, V.M. Molotov and many other diplomats.

The solid foundation laid down for the creation of the NKID and its activities, measures for its further improvement, and good training of diplomatic personnel contributed to the fact that over time the commissariat turned into a well-organized ministry. This ministry was able to provide the Soviet state with reliable protection, a foreign policy position, established contacts with other states, as well as active participation in solving all important international problems.

    Signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk

Throughout the history of relations between Russia and Germany, they have been of a very different nature - ranging from close cooperation to irreconcilable hostility. Back in the mid-18th century, when Prussia became an influential figure in Europe, two completely different approaches to relations with Russia emerged. Supporters of the first approach viewed Russia as their natural ally, supporters of the other approach sought to create a Greater Germany, and a hostile attitude towards Russia was part of the implementation of this approach. There were supporters of both approaches in the highest political circles in Germany. During the First World War, supporters of Greater Germany prevailed and their actions were reflected in the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the goal of which was to weaken Russia and remove it from the center of the international arena. 5

In 1916-1917, important events took place in Russia. It was the weakest link of the Entente in economic, political and military relations. Constant defeats at the front and a sharp deterioration in the economic situation in the country led to growing dissatisfaction with the ruling elite.

The situation in Germany made the prospects for victory in the country very problematic. Due to the lack of resources, there were frequent demonstrations and strikes by the masses. The victory of the Bolsheviks in Russia revived Germany's hope for a victorious end to the war, because those people who advocated the defeat of “their own government” in the world war came to power. The German government provided financial support to the Bolsheviks and, having led Russia, the Bolsheviks invited all warring countries to conclude an immediate peace agreement, wittingly or unwittingly playing along with the Germans. Germany and its allies (Austria-Hungary, Türkiye, Bulgaria) responded to this proposal. 6

Prerequisites for signing the Brest Peace in Russia:

    The growth of anti-war movements in the rear and at the fronts.

    Material deficiencies in weapons, supplies, military equipment, food, fuel, etc.

    Deep contradictions between the tsarist monarchy on the one hand and the liberal bourgeoisie and the revolutionary democratic camp on the other hand.

    Revolutionary state.

On December 9, peace negotiations began at the officers' meeting in Brest-Litovsk. The German delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Richard von Kühlmann, and the Austro-Hungarian delegation by Foreign Minister Count Ottokar Czernin. The delegation of Soviet Russia was headed by A.A. Ioffe. From the first minutes of the negotiations, it became clear that representatives of Germany's allied countries had almost no influence; Germany actually negotiated on their behalf. 7

Based on the principles set out in the Peace Decree, the Russian delegation put forward a program for peace negotiations consisting of the following six points.

"1) No forcible annexation of territories captured during the war is allowed. Troops occupying these territories are withdrawn from there as soon as possible.

2) The political independence of those peoples who were deprived of this independence during the present war is restored in its entirety.

3) National groups that did not enjoy political independence before the war are guaranteed the opportunity to freely decide on their belonging to a particular state or on their state independence through a referendum...

4) In relation to territories inhabited by several nationalities, the rights of a minority are protected by special laws that provide it with cultural and national independence and, if there is an actual possibility for this, administrative autonomy.

5) None of the warring countries is obliged to pay other countries the so-called “war costs”...

6) Colonial issues are resolved subject to the principles set out in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4." 8

After Russia presented its program, Germany announced a break, which lasted for three days. On December 25, the day of the renewal of the treaties, Kühlmann announced that the main points of the Russian declaration could be used as the basis for peace. However, “the proposals of the Russian delegation could be implemented only if all the powers involved in the war, without exception and without reservations, within a certain period of time, pledged to strictly observe the conditions common to all peoples.” In addition, Germany completely disagreed with clause 6 on colonies, declaring “friendship and loyalty” to the conquered peoples. 9

During the next break, it was decided to discuss each point of the future treaty, as well as to give the Entente countries the opportunity to join it. Joffe triumphed that the Soviet conditions were accepted by the countries of the Quadruple Alliance. However, the Soviet delegates did not realize the true meaning of the phrase “no annexations and indemnities” for Germany. This did not at all mean a willingness to return Poland, Courland and Lithuania to Russia. Germany's political and strategic interests made this idea virtually impossible. The situation became tense, because Soviet delegates discussed the joyful event not only among themselves, but also with delegates from other countries. As a result, the German general and diplomat Hoffmann directly told Joffe about his misinterpretation of the future world, which led to a temporary breakdown of negotiations and Joffe’s return to Petrograd. 10

However, negotiations were resumed. Soviet diplomats proposed holding a plebiscite in Lithuania, Poland and Courland, in which the peoples would be given the right to self-determination.

There was no need to expect agreement on negotiations from the Entente countries. The French Foreign Ministry S. Pichon stated that “Russia may seek to conclude a separate peace with our enemies or not - that is its business. In any case, the war will continue."

The further tactic of negotiations on the part of Soviet Russia was the tactic of delaying them as much as possible. For this role, L.D. was appointed head of the Soviet delegation. Trotsky. First of all, he tried to move the negotiations from Brest-Litovsk to Stockholm, but in response he received a decisive refusal and the threat of failure. A day later, a telegram was received: the countries of the Quadruple Alliance were abandoning previous obligations due to the reluctance of the Entente to participate in negotiations.

Trotsky made it clear from the beginning of the new stage of the conference that he had come to make peace, not to establish friendship, and his behavior left much to be desired from the point of view of the ethics of negotiations. For a month, Trotsky and Kühlmann tried to resolve the issue of self-determination of peoples, its forms, principles and means of implementation. Trotsky always expressed his thoughts directly, often demonstrating open contempt for his opponent. The advantages of his tactics include the desire to talk about specific things, the disadvantages are that he was not versed in diplomatic subtleties, unlike Kühlmann.

To weaken the position of the Soviet delegation and put pressure on it, the claims of the Ukrainian Central Rada were used.

    On December 28, when the discussion of territorial problems was on the agenda, the Central Powers brought the Ukrainian issue to the center. The Soviet delegation had to make a choice:

    Recognize Ukraine's independent status as invalid, which would facilitate further separate negotiations between Ukraine and Germany and the creation of an anti-Russian alliance.

Recognize the status of Ukraine and its delegates, as a result of which it would be represented at the negotiations by representatives of the Central Rada hostile to the Bolsheviks.

Trotsky was forced to recognize the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine (otherwise this would have contradicted previous statements about granting peoples the right to self-determination), and the representatives were recognized by the Quadruple Alliance. Ukraine officially became a full participant in the negotiations. eleven

Meetings resumed on January 17. Representatives of the Ukrainian government from Kharkov arrived in Brest-Litovsk. The picture became even more confusing. Ukraine was represented by two governments, and the Central Powers, depending on the circumstances, decided with whom to deal. Trotsky tried to challenge the representation of the Central Rada, but was met with protest. On January 27, a separate peace was signed between the Central Rada of Ukraine and the Quadruple Alliance.

Of course, this agreement significantly weakened the position of the Soviet delegation. On the same day, Kühlmann presented an ultimatum based on the “Hoffmann Line,” to which Trotsky responded famous phrase"no peace, no war." This meant that Soviet Russia could no longer negotiate, the war was declared over, and Russian troops were demobilized.

On February 5, 1918, German and Austrian troops launched another offensive, to which Russian troops were unable to resist. Under these conditions, a telegram was sent to the Quadruple Alliance agreeing to peace, however, the offensive continued.

On February 23, an ultimatum was received from Germany, which provided for even greater territorial concessions.

The delegations met again on March 1 in Brest-Litovsk. The Soviet delegation was headed by G. Sokolnikov, who signed the peace treaty:

    The state of war was declared ended.

    Russia had to recognize the independence of Ukraine, led by the Central Rada.

    Russia was deprived of the Kingdom of Poland, Ukraine, Courland, Livonia, and the Grand Duchy of Finland.

    In the Caucasus, Russia lost the Kars and Batumi regions.

    Russia had to demobilize the army and navy.

    Russia was deprived of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets.

    Russia's reparations were equal to 6 billion marks, and it also had to pay for losses incurred by Germany during the Russian Revolution. 13

The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was inevitable for Russia. Its military potential did not correspond to the scale of the war, and the country was approaching a military catastrophe. Already in the first years of the war it became clear that Russian army for the Entente - “cannon fodder”. In this regard, the desire of the Bolsheviks to conclude a separate peace treaty is quite understandable. IN Russian history The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is traditionally considered humiliating and shameful, although some historians consider its signing a diplomatic trick. Germany was plagued by internal unrest and revolution was brewing. There is an opinion that the peace was a trick for the sake of victory, because after the long-awaited revolution in Berlin, the RSFSR annulled the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty.

In March 1917, the Provisional Government adopted a Resolution on changing the current “Establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”. The Economic and Legal Departments and the Encryption Section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were created.

After October revolution 1917, in accordance with the Decree of the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets of October 26 (November 8) "On the establishment of the Council of People's Commissars" was formed People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs led by L.D. Trotsky. Only a small part of the ministry’s employees agreed to work with the Soviet authorities, from the foreign apparatus - Chargé d’Affaires in Spain Yu.Ya. Soloviev and secretary of the mission in Portugal R.R. Ungern-Sternberg.

During November, the NKID was reorganized. By the end of January 1918 total number The number of employees of the commissariat reached 200 people. Among them were V.V. Vorovsky, L.M. Karakhan, M.M. Litvinov, Ya.Z. Surits and others, who later became prominent diplomats. In May 1918, the outstanding People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs became statesman and diplomat G.V.Chicherin. In June 1918, the Regulations on the work of the NKID of the RSFSR were approved, which determined the structural composition of the department and the procedure for organizing representative offices abroad. The generalized experience of the work of the NKID formed the basis of the Regulations on the NKID of the RSFSR adopted in June 1921. In connection with the formation of the USSR, the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR was reorganized into the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR. In 1923, the “Regulations on the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR” was approved, which formally existed until 1995. The Collegium was restored as the governing body of the People's Commissariat.

During the 20s, the NKID carried out a tremendous amount of work to bring Soviet Russia out of political isolation., restoring it as a recognized, equal and inalienable subject of international relations. Russia participated in the Genoa and Lausanne conferences and concluded the Treaty of Rapallo with Germany. In 1924, the “stripe of recognition” of the USSR began, when diplomatic relations were established with Great Britain, France, Italy, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Denmark, Japan, China and Mexico. Relations with the countries of the East developed. In 1921-1927 Treaties were concluded with Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, and relations were established with Hejaz (Arabia).

By the beginning of 1924, diplomatic relations existed with 10 states, and in 1925 – with 22.

In 1925, in accordance with the changed conditions, a reorganization of the structure of the NKID was undertaken, which followed the path of increasing the number of territorial divisions and the weight of the economic about the department. The existing structure of the People's Commissariat remained in place until 1934.

In 1930, he became People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs MM. Litvinov.

In the context of the formation of a hotbed of war in the center of Europe and the growing military danger in the Far East, Soviet diplomacy consistently advocated the creation of a system of collective security. Important steps were the establishment of diplomatic relations with the USA (1933) and the entry of the USSR into the League of Nations (1934).

Materials from the website of the Historical and Documentary Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs were used

) year with quality People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and was one of the first people's commissariats formed in accordance with the decree "On the establishment of the Council of People's Commissars."

On December 30, 1922, the First Congress of Soviets of the USSR adopted the Treaty on the Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The second session of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR approved the Constitution of the USSR on July 6, 1923, according to articles 49 and 51 of which the NKID USSR.

On November 12, 1923, the 4th session of the USSR Central Executive Committee approved a new regulation on the NKID of the USSR. The People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the Union republics and their representative offices abroad were liquidated. At the same time, Offices of Commissioners of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR were created in the union republics.

In 1923-1925, the head of the Office of the Commissioner of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR under the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR was Viktor Leontievich Kopp, and in 1925-1927 - Semyon Ivanovich Aralov.

In 1944, the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR was recreated. In 1944-1946, Anatoly Iosifovich Lavrentyev was the people's commissar. In 1946 it was reformed into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR.

In the early 30s, the second period of recognition of the USSR began, when diplomatic relations were established with Spain, the USA, Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia.

In December 1936, in accordance with the newly adopted Constitution of 1936, the NKID changed its name. He began to be called People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, but not for foreign affairs, as it was before.

People's Commissars for Foreign Affairs


Wikimedia Foundation.

2010.


) year with quality People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs and was one of the first people's commissariats formed in accordance with the decree "On the establishment of the Council of People's Commissars."

On December 30, 1922, the First Congress of Soviets of the USSR adopted the Treaty on the Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The second session of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR approved the Constitution of the USSR on July 6, 1923, according to articles 49 and 51 of which the NKID USSR.

On November 12, 1923, the 4th session of the USSR Central Executive Committee approved a new regulation on the NKID of the USSR. The People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the Union republics and their representative offices abroad were liquidated. At the same time, Offices of Commissioners of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR were created in the union republics.

In 1923-1925, the head of the Office of the Commissioner of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR under the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR was Viktor Leontievich Kopp, and in 1925-1927 - Semyon Ivanovich Aralov.

In 1944, the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR was recreated. In 1944-1946, Anatoly Iosifovich Lavrentyev was the people's commissar. In 1946 it was reformed into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR.

In the early 30s, the second period of recognition of the USSR began, when diplomatic relations were established with Spain, the USA, Bulgaria, Hungary, Albania, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Colombia.

In December 1936, in accordance with the newly adopted Constitution of 1936, the NKID changed its name. He began to be called People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, but not for foreign affairs, as it was before.

People's Commissars for Foreign Affairs


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2010.

    People's Commissar of Internal Affairs People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the USSR

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    People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR

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    People's Commissar

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    People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs- People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs (NKID or Narkomindel) is a state body of the RSFSR / USSR with the rank of a ministry, responsible for the foreign policy of the Soviet state in 1917-1946. History Originally formed by decree... Wikipedia

    People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR"SNK" request is redirected here. See also other meanings. The Council of People's Commissars of the USSR (SNK, Sovnarkom) from July 6, 1923 to March 15, 1946 the highest executive and administrative (in the first period of its existence also legislative) body... ... Wikipedia

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2. PEOPLE'S COMMISSARIAT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE USSR (1923-1940)

People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR

NKID USSR

It was reorganized from the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR on July 6, 1923. At the IV session of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, the Regulations on the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR were approved, replacing the previous Regulations on the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the Union Republics (November 12, 1923) (see Bulletin of the Central Executive Committee, Council of People's Commissars and STO. - 1923-1924 . - No. 10.-S, 299).

Central apparatus of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR (1923-1940)

1. People's Commissar (People's Commissar).

2. Two or three deputy people's commissars.

3. Board of the People's Commissariat (10 people, no more) (the board existed until 1934, was abolished in 1934-1938, and renewed in 1938).

4. Secretariat.


Regional departments of NKID (by country):

a) 1st Western Division (Baltics, Scandinavia, Poland);

b) 2nd Western Division ( Central Europe, Balkans);

c) 3rd Western Division (USA, England, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain and all Spanish-speaking countries South America);

d) 1st Eastern Department (Near and Middle East, Türkiye, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Nejd, etc.);

e) 2nd Eastern Department (Far East - China, Japan, etc.).


Departments by industry:

a) Printing department;

b) Legal department;

c) Consular Section;

d) Protocol department;

e) Economic part (issues of economic relations).


Administrative and economic departments:

a) Human Resources Department;

b) Finance department;

c) Economic Department (ACD);

d) Department for accounting of state property;

e) Educational department;

e) Litizdat NKID. It actually existed from 1923 to 1934. The Charter of the Litizdat NKID was approved on May 18, 1927.


The reorganization of the NKID of the RSFSR into the NKID of the USSR consisted not only in the restructuring and expansion of the central apparatus in Moscow, but also in the fact that the NKID of the USSR, from July 6, 1923, took charge of the management of those relations with foreign countries, with which union republics other than the RSFSR established diplomatic relations and with which these republics did business before their accession to the USSR.

Thus, the Ukrainian SSR had relations with Poland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Turkey; BSSR - with Poland, Germany; TSFSR - with Germany, Turkey; Georgia - with Czechoslovakia.

Thus, the USSR, even before the “era of recognition,” entered into relations with Germany, Poland, Turkey, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Italy, and Iran.

In the 20-30s, on the eve of the Second World War, the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs of the USSR basically retained the above structure, but in its large divisions - departments - disaggregation began due to the increase in the volume of work that occurred following the period of recognition of the USSR in 1924.

By the beginning of 1924, the USSR had diplomatic relations with 10 states, with those with which it directly bordered: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Turkey, Iran, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and of non-border countries - with only Germany. During 1924, relations were established with 12 states: England, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greece, France in Europe, and from Asia - with China, Japan, Hijaz (Arabia) and in America - with Mexico.

The first reorganization of the structure of the central apparatus of the NKID was undertaken in 1925. It took into account the changes that had taken place and followed the line of a quantitative increase in the divisions of the central apparatus by mechanically transforming a number of subdivisions into independent departments. So, for example, the subdepartment of the Scandinavian countries as part of the 1st Western Department of the NKID was transformed into an independent department of the Scandinavian countries, and the subdepartment of the limitrophe countries was “raised” to the rank of the Department of the Baltic countries. Similar changes occurred in other large departments.

This situation, i.e., the new structural division of the NKID, formed in 1925, remained unchanged until 1934.

During the years of world economic crisis Some new shifts in international relations were revealed: the number of countries with which the USSR established diplomatic relations increased, a regrouping of countries in the international arena took place, the balance of power between individual groups of countries changed, and a different balance of power emerged in the capitalist world. All these changes were taken into account when adjusting the relationship between the departments of the NKID and were partly reflected in changes in personnel and even in changing the names of some departments, but the foundation of the structure of the NKID, laid in 1925, remained unshakable. Only the orientation towards the European departments as the main field of activity of Soviet diplomacy became more obvious, more visible, which was explained by two circumstances: firstly, the fact that the main point of tension was in Europe in connection with the creation fascist Germany and the growth of foreign policy activity fascist states, and, secondly, by the fact that the United States and the countries of North and South America that were in the orbit of American policy were actually excluded from participation in the international life of Europe (isolationism) and at the same time continued to take a hostile position towards the USSR: by 1933, only the United States among the major capitalist powers continued to refuse to recognize the USSR and to establish normal diplomatic relations with our country. Such recognition followed on November 16, 1933, and this necessitated the creation of a special North American department in the Central Office of the NKID.

With these particular exceptions, the structure of the NKID did not undergo major changes until the Second World War.

Reorganizations of the NKID were undertaken three times during the Second World War in connection with significant changes in the international situation: in 1939, in 1941 and in 1944. The essence of these reorganizations was to reorganize the European departments in such a way that at each specific historical moment they their composition of countries corresponded to the reality that was emerging on the political map of Europe. The last reorganization in 1944 took into account those changes on the world stage that resulted from the defeat of Nazi Germany and from the agreements of the USSR with its allies in the anti-fascist coalition. The changing role of small countries in Europe and their regional gravity were taken into account, which led to an increase in the number of European departments.

The post-war organization of Germany, the upcoming creation of the UN, the entry into the international arena of national liberation movements - all this was reflected in the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which replaced the NKID in 1946 and preparations for the reorganization of which began in 1944. At the same time, on February 1, 1944 . The USSR law was adopted on the right of the union republics to enter into direct relations with foreign states. In connection with this, national ministries of foreign affairs were formed in the republics, although at first they were of a somewhat formal nature. First of all, Ukraine and Belarus, which were members of the UN, as well as the Transcaucasian republics - Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan - acquired their own Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

In 1953, new changes took place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. First of all, the consolidation of the European departments began, their total number decreased, and Europe as a region in general began to form a more modest part of the foreign policy problems of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A new point in the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the expansion of divisions dealing with the problems of America (North and South), the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa (especially since 1960) and Far East, as well as the emergence of problematic operational departments.

The result of this whole process was new structure The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, formed by 1955 and finally established after the 20th Congress of the CPSU. It fully corresponded to the state of international relations that existed by 1956. It was this structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that remained practically without significant changes for 30 years - until 1986.