Russia Appoints a New Ambassador to the United States

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has announced that it has received agrément for the appointment of Alexander Darchiev as the country’s new ambassador to the United States.

According to a statement published on the ministry’s website, the approval was granted during Russia-U.S. consultations in Istanbul on February 27, where the American side officially delivered a diplomatic note confirming Darchiev’s appointment as Russia’s new Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the U.S.

The ministry noted that Darchiev is expected to depart for Washington in the near future to assume his post.

Darchiev has served at Russia’s embassy in the U.S. for a total of about 10 years. From 1997 to 2002, he worked as an embassy advisor, and from 2005 to 2010, he held the position of minister-counselor.

Between October 2014 and January 2021, he served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada, before being appointed director of the North America Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry in January 2021.

This appointment comes as Russia and the U.S. attempt to stabilize diplomatic relations despite ongoing active hostilities in Ukraine. Following a meeting with Russian representatives in Istanbul on February 17, the U.S. State Department stated that both sides had identified specific initial steps to improve the functioning of their diplomatic missions. The ministry added that Russia had proposed restoring direct air travel between the two countries.