Russia has announced that the United States has approved the appointment of Alexander Darchiev as Moscow’s new ambassador to Washington.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the decision following diplomatic consultations between delegations from both countries in Istanbul on 27 February.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, during the talks in Turkey, the US delegation formally conveyed an official note granting agrément to Darchiev’s appointment as Russia’s new ambassador to the United States. The ministry added that Darchiev is expected to take up his post in Washington in the near future.
Experienced Diplomat with Extensive US and Canadian Service
Darchiev has considerable experience in diplomatic missions in North America. He previously served a total of ten years at the Russian embassy in Washington, first as an advisor from 1997 to 2002 and later as minister-counsellor from 2005 to 2010.
From October 2014 to January 2021, Darchiev was Russia’s ambassador to Canada, after which he took up the role of Director of the North America Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry in January 2021. His appointment to Washington follows months of diplomatic efforts to stabilise bilateral relations amid ongoing tensions.
Context of Diplomatic Discussions
The announcement comes after a series of diplomatic meetings aimed at addressing the strained relations between Moscow and Washington. On 17 February, representatives from the US and Russia met in Istanbul, where, according to the US State Department, both sides agreed on “initial steps” to stabilise the operations of their respective diplomatic missions.
The discussions in Istanbul followed an earlier meeting in Saudi Arabia on 18 February, which took place without the participation of Ukrainian representatives. After the talks in Riyadh, the US State Department stated that both delegations had agreed to work on removing “irritants” in bilateral relations and to continue preparations for future negotiations concerning Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Bilateral Relations Amid Continued Tensions
Darchiev’s appointment comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly in the context of Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Diplomatic engagement between the two countries has been limited, with relations severely strained due to Western sanctions, military support for Ukraine, and espionage-related disputes that have affected the operations of their embassies.
Despite these difficulties, both Moscow and Washington appear to be seeking ways to maintain direct diplomatic channels. The recent high-level meetings, including the one that led to the agrément for Darchiev, indicate an effort to manage bilateral ties even as broader geopolitical disputes persist.
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