Russia's ambassador to Washington Alexander Darchiev dies at 66, Moscow confirms

Moscow confirmed the death of Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to Washington, who had been tasked with improving relations with the Trump administration.

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, has died at 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"We have lost an outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind colleague and a mentor," the ministry said in a Telegram post.

According to the ministry, Darchiev was "an exceptional professional and a distinguished expert on the United States."

Washington office is 'one of most demanding areas of Russian foreign policy,' Moscow's Foreign Ministry says

Due to his role, he "served in one of the most demanding areas of Russian foreign policy," the ministry added on Telegram.

"The cherished memory of our colleague will forever remain in our hearts," the ministry wrote on X/Twitter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Darchiev, a veteran diplomat known in the past for his public denunciations of the West, as ambassador to Washington in March 2025 to lead a rapprochement with the Trump administration that has rattled Ukraine and European countries.