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Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Alexander Darchiev, dies

newsNov 11, 2026322,036

Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, died unexpectedly at age 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, calling him an “outstanding diplomat” and “a professional of the highest order.” The ministry did not disclose a cause of death. Darchiev replaced Anatoly Antonov as ambassador to Washington in early 2025 amid a sudden thaw in U.S.-Russia relations after President Donald Trump returned to the White House. He previously served at Russia’s embassy in Washington in the late 2000s, spent six years as Russia’s ambassador to Canada and led the Foreign Ministry’s North American Department for four years. Boris Bondarev, a former Russian diplomat in Geneva, said Darchiev was a protégé of President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov. Observers at the time of his appointment said Darchiev was not likely to wield much independent influence because major issues have been handled at higher levels. The Kremlin did not immediately comment on his passing, and U.S. officials have not issued statements.

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