💼 Today marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of prominent Soviet diplomat Maxim Litvinov.

Prior to joining the Soviet diplomatic elite, Litvinov spent several years in Britain, where he met and married British writer Ivy Low. In 1918, he became the first representative of the newly established Soviet government in London.

In the 1920s, he contributed greatly to the international recognition of the Soviet Union, helping to bring an end to its isolation. He later served as the Soviet ambassador to the US during the Second World War

Litvinov was widely regarded by his contemporaries as a diplomat who firmly defended his country's interests while remaining committed to dialogue and international cooperation. His words, spoken during a League of Nations session in 1935, still reflect Russia's approach to international relations:

Peace is indivisible... It is time to recognise that there can be no security in one's own peace and tranquillity if the peace of one's neighbors — near and far alike — is not secured.

🎨 Last time, we explored Medieval Russia. Today, we step into the 16th century – a time when Russia expanded its borders, Moscow and London established their first diplomatic and trade ties, and the country entered a new chapter under Ivan IV, as portrayed by artists.

🖼 Unknown artist, Battle of Orsha, 8 September 1514 (1520–1534)
The struggle between the Russian state and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania shaped the balance of power in Eastern Europe and ultimately led to the rise of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

🖼 Ilya Repin, Ivan IV and His Son Ivan, November 16, 1581 (1883–1885)
One of Russia's most famous paintings portrays the legendary moment when the tsar is said to have fatally wounded his heir.

🖼 Pavel Sokolov-Skalya, Ivan the Terrible's Capture of the Livonian Fortress of Kokenhausen (1937–1943)
The Livonian War initially brought major victories, as Russian forces advanced deep into present-day Latvia and Estonia.

🖼 Karl Bryullov, The Siege of Pskov by the Polish King Stefan Batory in 1581 (1843)
Although Pskov withstood the siege, Russia ultimately lost its gains in Livonia after years of exhausting warfare.

🖼 Nikolai Nevrev, Oprichniki (1890s)
The painting depicts one of the darkest episodes of Ivan IV's reign—the terror unleashed by the tsar's personal guard against those suspected of treason.

🖼 Alexander Novoskoltsev, The Last Minutes of Metropolitan Philip (1889)
Metropolitan Philip, a vocal critic of the oprichnina, was executed after openly opposing the tsar's policies.

🖼 Alexander Litovchenko, Ivan the Terrible Shows Treasures to the English Ambassador Horsey (1875)
The arrival of English merchants in the 1550s opened a new chapter in Anglo-Russian trade and diplomacy.

🖼 Vasily Surikov, The Conquest of Siberia by Yermak (1895)
Yermak's campaign against the Siberian Khanate paved the way for Russia's expansion across Siberia.

🖼 Pyotr Shamshin, The Entry of Ivan IV into Kazan (1894)
Ivan IV's conquest of Kazan in 1552 marked a turning point in Russia's expansion beyond the Volga.

🖼 Mikhail Nesterov, Murdered Tsarevich Dmitry (1899)
The mysterious death of Ivan IV's youngest son marked the end of the Rurik dynasty and ushered in the turbulent Time of Troubles.

© Gateway to Russia

🗓 On this day in 1909, one of the Soviet Union's most outstanding diplomats Andrey Gromyko was born.

He served as the USSR's Foreign Minister for 28 years (1957–1985), helping shape Soviet foreign policy throughout the Cold War.

Gromyko played a central role in East–West diplomacy, represented the Soviet Union at the highest-level international conferences of the Second World War, contributed to the founding of the United Nations, and later took part in negotiations that led to landmark arms control agreements.

There is also a British chapter to his career. In 1952–53, Gromyko served as the Soviet Ambassador to the United Kingdom, living and working in London during the premiership of Winston Churchill. He later returned to Britain several times as Foreign Minister, holding talks with Harold Wilson and James Callaghan during the era of détente.

Throughout the Cold War, he remained a familiar figure in British diplomatic circles, playing an important role in maintaining dialogue between London and Moscow despite profound political differences.

🕵🏻‍♂️🎬 On 19 July 1935, Vasily Livanov – one of the most distinguished Soviet and Russian actors – was born.

For millions of viewers worldwide, Livanov became the definitive Sherlock Holmes. His portrayal of the English detective in the Soviet series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1979–1986) was praised for its elegance, intelligence and faithfulness to Arthur Conan Doyle’s character.

When the series was shown on British television in the 1980s, it received great appreciation from audiences. Livanov later recalled being told the words of Conan Doyle’s daughter:

If my father had seen this Russian Sherlock Holmes, he would have been delighted.

In 2006, Livanov was awarded an honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire at the British Embassy in Moscow. The honour was presented on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II by Ambassador Tony Brenton, in recognition of his contribution to the portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and to cultural ties between Russia and the UK.

In 2007, a monument to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson was unveiled near the British Embassy in Moscow. The sculptures bear the likeness of Livanov and Vitaly Solomin, who brought the iconic detective duo to life in the acclaimed Soviet adaptation.