Russia has appointed Alexander Darchiev as its new ambassador to the U.S., following bilateral talks in Istanbul and renewed efforts to restore diplomatic ties.
Russia has appointed a new ambassador to the United States, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced today, just a day after bilateral talks in Istanbul aimed at improving relations between Moscow and Washington.
Alexander Darchiev (64) will soon arrive in Washington to take on the role. Previously, he served as director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for North America in 2021 and, earlier this year, was assigned to oversee Russia’s diplomatic relations with the entire North Atlantic region, including the U.K., Ireland, Canada, and the U.S. Between 2014 and 2021, he held the position of Russian ambassador to Canada.
Darchiev replaces Anatoly Antonov, a veteran diplomat who stepped down as ambassador in October 2024 amid escalating tensions between Russia and the U.S. over the war in Ukraine.
Fluent in English and French, Darchiev has extensive experience in U.S.-Russia diplomacy, having previously worked as an advisor at the Russian Embassy in Washington from 2005 to 2010.
His appointment follows recent Russian-American negotiations in Istanbul, which focused on restoring the normal functioning of embassies and consulates. The move also comes after a February 12 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, in which both leaders signaled a willingness to reset diplomatic ties—a surprising shift after years of strained relations.
