Russia appoints new envoy to US in sign of thaw in relations
- 3 March, 12:33
Moscow has appointed a new ambassador to the United States in the latest sign of thaw in diplomatic relations that were damaged after Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that Washington had agreed to the appointment of Alexander Darchiyev as the new envoy to the US.
“Joint measures were agreed upon to ensure the unfettered mutual financing of Russian and US diplomatic missions’ operations and to establish appropriate conditions for diplomats to fulfill their official duties,” the Foreign Ministry announced in a press release.
The announcement comes after Darchiyev met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter on Thursday in Istanbul. “It is anticipated that today’s meeting will serve as the first in a sequence of such expert consultations, which may advance progress towards resolving differences with the American side and reinforcing confidence-building measures,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova revealed.
The appointment of the new ambassador comes amid thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as Trump administration’s efforts to achieve a peace deal in Ukraine. Trump seeks to deliver his election campaign pledge to end the war in Ukraine and has signaled his willingness pressure Ukraine into making concessions during the signing of a peace deal with Kremlin.
On Friday, the Oval Office meeting between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy turned into an angry debate as Trump and his Vice President JD Vance publicly berated the Ukrainian leader, talked over him and scolded him for not being grateful for US military aid. Trump accused Trump of “gambling with World War III” and after the failed meeting, said the Ukrainian leader was not the man who wanted peace.
