Russia Appoints New Ambassador to Washington, Signalling Thaw in Diplomatic Relations
In a surprising move signaling a potential thaw in diplomatic relations, Russia has announced the appointment of Alexander Darchiyev as its new ambassador to the United States. This announcement came just a day after officials from both countries met in Istanbul to discuss the strengthening of bilateral ties. Darchiyev, a seasoned diplomat and current head of the North America department at Russia's foreign ministry, is set to take up his new role in Washington following the lengthy absence of an envoy since the previous ambassador's departure in October last year.
The discussion in Istanbul included the formal approval from the U.S. for Darchiyev's appointment, as disclosed by Russia's foreign ministry. At 64, Darchiyev brings extensive experience to the position; he previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from October 2014 until January 2021, and he has been with the foreign ministry since 1992, having also held a senior role at the Russian embassy in Washington in his earlier career.
During the talks in Istanbul, Russia proposed the restoration of direct flights between the two nations. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many allies of Ukraine, including the U.S., the U.K., and the EU, responded by banning Russian aircraft from their airspace, making direct communication waves even more critical.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's foreign ministry, indicated that during the Istanbul discussions, officials committed to ensuring the uninterrupted funding of diplomatic missions in both countries and creating favorable conditions for diplomats to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Russian-American relations have soured dramatically over the past decade, with both nations expelling each other's diplomats and significantly reducing staff in embassies. However, the recent series of meetings—beginning with a call between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin earlier this month—hints at a significant shift in the relationship dynamics. Following last week's discussions in Saudi Arabia, where the two sides committed to enhancing economic relations affected by western sanctions, the atmosphere seems increasingly conducive for renewed cooperation.
President Putin expressed optimism about the new U.S. administration's pragmatism, describing initial interactions with the Trump administration as 'inspiring a certain degree of hope.' He emphasized the importance of restoring intergovernmental ties to address a myriad of systemic and strategic challenges confronting global security.
Putin acknowledged the skepticism surrounding the resumption of Russian-American discussions, noting that not all stakeholders are in favor of improved relations. 'Some Western elites remain determined to perpetuate global instability,' he stated, suggesting that these forces might seek to disrupt the dialogue.
Trump's pivot towards fostering closer ties with Russia has raised concerns across Europe, with leaders in the U.K. and France urging the U.S. president to maintain firm support for Ukraine amidst these developments.
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