The Collegium of Foreign Affairs (Russian: Коллегия иностранных дел или иностранная коллегия Российской империи) was a collegium of the Russian Empire responsible for foreign policy from 1717 to 1832.
Establishment
The Collegium of Foreign Affairs was created by Peter the Great as part of his government reforms to replace the existing posolsky prikaz, with Fyodor Golovin serving as its first president. It functioned as Russia's foreign ministry until it was replaced by the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs Although it continued to operate alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, established in 1802 by Emperor Alexander I, its powers gradually diminished, and in 1832 it was completely abolished, with all of its functions transferred to the ministry.
The College of Foreign Affairs was governed by a board consisting of a president (chancellor), a vice president (vice chancellor), and other members. Important decisions were made through voting within this board.