The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Alexander Darchiev, its ambassador to the United States, died at 66; ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova later said he died in Moscow from a chronic illness.
The Moscow Times reported that Darchiev’s diplomatic career included an earlier posting at Russia’s Washington embassy in the late 2000s and several Foreign Ministry roles. He went on to serve six years as Moscow’s ambassador to Canada and spent four years leading the ministry’s North American Department.
The outlet said Darchiev succeeded former Ambassador Anatoly Antonov in early 2025. His appointment came amid a brief improvement in bilateral relations after U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office.
The Moscow Times also reported that observers at the time questioned how much influence Darchiev could have, given that major matters between Moscow and Washington had been handled at higher levels in recent years. The ministry called him an “outstanding diplomat” and a “kind colleague and mentor.” The Kremlin had not immediately commented on his death, and U.S. officials had issued no statements, the outlet reported.
