Washington: Russia’s new ambassador to the US has arrived in Washington, DC, as reported by Russian state media on Wednesday. This marks the beginning of Alexander Darchiev’s tenure, succeeding his predecessor Anatoly Antonov, who completed his mission five months ago.
According to Anadolu Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree in early March appointing Darchiev as the new ambassador. Darchiev, 64, brings with him a wealth of experience in North American studies, having been part of Russia’s diplomatic corps since 1992. His career has included significant roles in both the US and Canada, where he has served in various capacities, such as adviser and minister-counselor at the Russian Embassy.
From October 24, 2014, to January 11, 2021, Darchiev was Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Canada. Following this, he returned to Moscow and took on the role of director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department, a position he held until his recent appointment as ambassador to the US. His academic background and linguistic skills, being fluent in English and French, are expected to aid him in his new role.