Russian ambassador to US Alexander Darchiev dies 'suddenly' as Moscow hails 'good comrade'

Detailed summary

Alexander Darchiev, who served as Russia's ambassador to the US since early 2025, has died 'suddenly,' the Foreign Ministry in Moscow has announced

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died "suddenly" at the age 66, Moscow's Foreign Ministry said.

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a separate statement that Darchiev died in Moscow from an unspecified chronic illness.

In a statement, the ministry described Darchiev as "an outstanding diplomat, experienced leader, good comrade and mentor," as well as a brilliant scholar of US affairs, working "in one of the most important areas of Russian foreign policy."

The longtime diplomat served as the ambassador to the US since early 2025, having succeeded Anatoly Antonov, who was relieved of his duties in late 2024.

He previously headed the Foreign Ministry's North America and North Atlantic departments, and served as ambassador to Canada between 2021 and 2024.

In February 2025, Darchiev headed Russia's delegation in Istanbul for talks with the United States.

He was appointed to the US role soon after Donald Trump began his second tenure as president, and several years into Russia's war on Ukraine, which has fuelled tensions between Moscow and the west.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Darchiev called the move a "necessary measure".

Another Russian diplomat, Moscow's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin, died suddenly in February 2017 in New York at age 64.

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