Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died suddenly at the age of 66, just a year and a half after taking up the post, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.
The ministry described Darchiev as an “outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague,” praising his extensive experience in international diplomacy. He was appointed ambassador to Washington in March 2025.
Moscow did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Diplomatic Career Spanning Decades
Darchiev previously served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2021 to 2024, before taking up his post in Washington.
He was appointed shortly after Donald Trump returned to the White House, amid continued tensions between Moscow and Western governments over Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.
A specialist in Russian-American relations, Darchiev headed the Foreign Ministry’s North America Department from 2014 to 2020.
In 2022, following the launch of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, Darchiev described the move as a “necessary measure.”
