February 10 is Diplomatic Workers’ Day in Russia. The first President of Kalmykia, sixth President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov congratulated Russian diplomats on the holiday:
“My sincere congratulations to the employees of the Russian Foreign Ministry, colleagues, classmates and all MGIMO students, to those who have chosen the profession of a diplomat to defend the interests of the Motherland in the diplomatic field! Happy Diplomatic Worker's Day! I wish everyone good health, well-being, success and all the best!” he said.
Editor’s note: Diplomatic Worker's Day was established on October 31, 2002 by the Decree of President Putin. The date of February 10 was not chosen by chance and is connected with the history of the first foreign policy department of Russia - the Ambassadorial Prikaz. The earliest mention of it falls on this day in 1549, and its first leader was Ivan Viskovatov appointed by Ivan the Terrible.
