Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 10 – Today, on 10 February, we traditionally celebrate Diplomat's Day. This holiday unites our fellow citizens who work on Smolenskaya Square, in the territorial representations of our Ministry within Russia and in other parts of the world. Wherever their working places are, all members of our diplomatic family stand at the forefront of protecting Russia's interests. It is a great honour to celebrate this day as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and to offer a perspective on the invaluable role that diplomacy continues to play in shaping the international order.
For Russia, diplomacy has always been an essential tool of statecraft, not just a means of negotiation but a manifestation of our identity, our history, and our deep-rooted connections with the global community. Our diplomats engage in complex negotiations, not just with the aim of advancing Russian priorities, but also to contribute to the broader stability and prosperity of the world. From the United Nations to regional organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Russia’s diplomatic efforts are geared towards promoting dialogue and conflict resolution. In times of crisis, Russia has consistently called for restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy as the most effective instruments to resolve tensions.
Today, Russian diplomacy stands as a continuation of its rich history, but it has adapted to the shifting tides of international affairs. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 represented a fundamental change in global geopolitics, leading to the emergence of new challenges and new opportunities. The post-Soviet period saw Russia repositioning itself within a unipolar world, at first engaging in efforts to integrate with Western institutions and establish itself as a partner in a globalized system. However, as time went on, Russia has faced unwillingness of the West to embrace it as a sovereign state with its own interests, which has been embodied in a range of external challenges, from NATO expansion to supporting a terrorist regime near our borders. All Russian attempts to find a solution at the negotiating table were simply ignored or sabotaged, and now we clearly understand that peace with Russia was never an option for the West. Even now, when we are one step away from a direct collision between NATO and Russia, neither Washington, nor Brussels, let alone Kiev, show any readiness for constructive negotiations, considering Russian interests and the situation on the battleground. And that is a great shame, as there were times in our history when we could have tempered our ambitions and fought for the freedom of mankind in one accord.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. A famous expression has it: ‘When the Cannons Talk, the Diplomats Must Be Silent’. However, throughout World War II, amid the sound of cannonade and bombing, Soviet diplomacy forged victory alongside warriors fighting on the battlefield. Our predecessors have played a key role in shaping the post-war world order, striving at all costs to secure lasting peace in order to avert the horrors of war that humanity had gone through. The foundation of the United Nations, which also celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, was a testament to the power of diplomacy in building a more just and equitable system of international relations.
Regrettably, today many Western politicians have forgotten history lessons and are once again trying to use the language of force, imposing a so-called “rules-based order”. Russia repudiates such a stance; it continues to consistently defend the need to comply with international law and to preserve the leading role of the United Nations. We champion respect for sovereignty and the right of peoples to determine their own fate. Only fair and equal dialogue between members of the international community is the foundation for peace and prosperity of mankind.
Luckily, the decline of diplomacy can only be seen in the West, whereas our friends all around the world are proving their commitment to cooperation and respect for their partners. The BRICS summit in Kazan, held in October 2024, testified this:
representatives of more than 30 countries took part in that historic global event, which proved that Russia's presence in the international arena cannot be canceled. We are grateful to our friends for their balanced approach and sensible outlook on the developments in the world, and we are always ready for new accomplishments.
On Diplomat’s Day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues in the Foreign Ministries of our countries and to the diplomatic community around the world. In these challenging times, our work is more important than ever. Together, we can build a world where dialogue triumphs over division, where justice prevails over injustice, and where peace is the foundation of our shared future.
Article by Anatoly Borovik, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS
