Much work and energy was invested in the creation of an apparatus in the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, capable of successfully coping with the responsible task entrusted to it by the Party and the Soviet government.

Increased requirements were imposed on people recommended for work in the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs. A candidate for the diplomatic service had to have not only a high culture, but also a broad and versatile knowledge in the field of foreign policy and international relations.

On March 13, 1918, Georgy Chicherin became the acting People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs. On April 9, 1918, he officially headed the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs.

Soviet diplomat Semyon Aralov in his memoirs talked about a conversation with Chicherin before his departure to Turkey in 1921 as a plenipotentiary. The People’s Commissar shared with him his thoughts on how to carry out official relations with foreign states and gave a number of valuable pieces of advice.

The structure of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs was finally formed by the first half of 1921. With some changes, it existed until the outbreak of World War II.

In the early years of its activity, the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs experienced a shortage of personnel. This was due not only to the fact that high requirements were imposed on their selection. The front desperately needed communists who were mainly used to staff the apparatus.

Georgy Chicherin took care of the retention of the personnel of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, and was busy with the material support of employees. Every year the functions and tasks of the commissariat became wider and more significant. Such growth required further improvement of its staff and an increase in the level of diplomatic work.

With an increase in the workload of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, systematic training and education of young personnel acquired great importance, to which the People’s Commissar paid much attention. Chicherin put it that way: “Our youth managed to get somewhat involved in the business, and we managed to get to know a wider circle of people, so there are more opportunities to resolve a personal issue than before… We have now begun to organize political education of young people, arrange courses, involve youth in political work, for we have to think about tomorrow too”.