Russian Foreign Ministry says its ambassador to US has died
Russia's Foreign Ministry has said that Alexander Darchiev died from a chronic illness at the age of 66. The long-time diplomat had been in the Washington post since early 2025.
On Wednesday, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced that Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev had passed away at the age of 66 due to an unspecified chronic illness in Moscow. Darchiev had been appointed to the position by President Vladimir Putin in March 2025, following Donald Trump's return to the White House and a desire for improved relations between the two nations.
The post had remained vacant for six months prior to his appointment, after hardliner Anatoly Antonov was removed from his duties in October 2024.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Darchiev as "an outstanding diplomat, experienced leader, good comrade, and mentor" and a "brilliant scholar on US history and affairs." She cautioned against the dissemination of conspiracy theories regarding the diplomat's death, accusing U.S. media outlets of being "particularly active" in that direction.
Darchiev was renowned for his public criticism of the West and had previously served as the leader of the Foreign Ministry's North America and North Atlantic departments, as well as the ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021. He also played a crucial role during the February 2025 Ukraine peace talks with the United States in Istanbul, Turkey, where he led Russia's negotiating team. Memorial service details will be announced at a later date, according to Zakharova.
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