Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, died on Wednesday at age 66, Russia’s foreign ministry announced.
Darchiev, who began his tenure in March 2025, “passed away suddenly,” the ministry said. His cause of death wasn’t immediately announced.
“We have lost an outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind comrade, and a mentor,” the statement reads. “A consummate professional and a brilliant expert on American affairs … Darchiev served in one of the most critical areas of Russian foreign policy.”
“The memory of our colleague, who left us far too soon, will remain in our hearts forever,” it added.
Prior to his tenure as ambassador, Darchiev was Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021, served in the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North America Department, and was a member of Russia’s diplomatic mission in the U.S.
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Darchiev had taken over from the long-serving Anatoly Antonov, who served as ambassador during the drastic transformation of U.S.-Russia relations from 2017 to 2024. Like his predecessor, Darchiev was known as a vigorous defender of Russian interests with abrasive rhetoric.
Darchiev had overseen a warming of relations with the U.S., as the Trump administration shifted to a mediating position in the Russia-Ukraine War. Restrictions on Russia and the U.S.’s embassies were softened during his tenure, though tensions remained.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
