Russia’s Ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died “suddenly" at the age of 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday, November 11. Moscow did not disclose the cause of his death.
According to AFP, the ministry described Darchiev as an “outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague".
He had served as Russia’s ambassador to Washington since March 2025, making him one of the key diplomatic representatives involved in Moscow’s efforts to restore ties with the United States under President Donald Trump.
Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had appointed Darchiev to the post in March 2025.
A veteran diplomat known for his public criticism of the West, Darchiev was tasked with leading a rapprochement with the Trump administration, an initiative that had raised concerns in Ukraine and European countries.
Darchiev’s death comes after approximately one and a half years in the Washington assignment.
WHO WAS ALEXANDER DARCHIEV?
Darchiev was a career diplomat who had worked in various Russian diplomatic positions since 1992, according to AFP.
Before taking up the Washington assignment, he served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021. He subsequently headed the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North America Department between 2021 and 2024.
A specialist in Russia-US relations, Darchiev was appointed to the Washington post after the position had remained vacant since the departure of his predecessor, Anatoly Antonov, in October 2024.
DARCHIEV’S APPOINTMENT CAME AMID US-RUSSIA DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH
Russia announced Darchiev’s appointment in February 2025, at a time when the Trump administration was seeking to restore diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
According to AFP, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the US side had handed over an official note agreeing to Darchiev’s appointment.
The announcement followed talks between Russian and American officials in Istanbul aimed at resolving diplomatic issues. The discussions came after both countries had expelled embassy staff during Joe Biden’s administration.
Darchiev had also publicly defended Russia’s military action in Ukraine. In 2022, following Moscow’s offensive, he described it as a “necessary measure", AFP reported.
Source: News18