Russian diplomacy has deep historical roots, and modern diplomats must combine traditional professionalism with a mastery of new technologies. This was stated by Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin in an interview with the online publication "Golden Age" on the eve of Diplomat's Day.

He recalled that Diplomat's Day was established by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2002. The date, February 10, is associated with the first documented mention in 1549 of the Ambassadorial Office, the first centralized structure responsible for foreign affairs.

"Russian diplomacy has deep historical roots. Since the IX century, the Old Russian state has been an active participant in international relations in Europe," the ambassador noted.

According to Ivan Volynkin, professionalism, erudition, responsibility, and the ability to find mutually acceptable solutions remain key qualities. However, new requirements have also emerged.

"Information pressure is increasing, and new challenges are emerging—from cybersecurity to the climate agenda. This requires diplomats to be able to adapt quickly and master modern technologies," he emphasized.

The diplomat spoke about structural changes within the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Department of International Information Security was established in 2019, the Department of Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations in 2022, and the Department of Partnership with Africa in 2025.

Educational programs for diplomats have been supplemented with courses in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and big data processing, the ambassador added.