Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev Dies at 66
Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev has passed away suddenly at the age of 66. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced his death without disclosing the specific cause.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev has died suddenly at the age of 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced. The ministry did not disclose the cause of death.
Darchiev, a veteran diplomat who specialized in Moscow's relations with North American nations, was appointed to the post in March 2025. In its official statement, the Foreign Ministry mourned the loss of an "outstanding diplomat, experienced leader, good colleague, and mentor," describing him as a first-class professional and a brilliant expert on US affairs. No successor has been named yet.
Darchiev was appointed ambassador to Washington by Russian President Vladimir Putin, succeeding Anatoly Antonov, whose tenure ended in October 2024. His appointment came at a time when Russia and USA sought to resume communication channels following years of strained relations and against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine.
With a rich diplomatic career, Darchiev previously served in various roles at the Russian Embassy in Washington, as ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021, and as head of the North American Department at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Having joined the diplomatic service in 1992, he was widely regarded as a protégé of Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser.
