Russian Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev Dies Suddenly

In depth

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced the death of Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, at the age of 66. Darchiev was appointed to the post in Washington in March 2025 by President Vladimir Putin, and according to the details the ministry provided, his sudden death occurred in circumstances that have not yet been clarified.

The Russian Foreign Ministry eulogized Darchiev and described him as an outstanding diplomat and a brilliant expert on the United States. Darchiev previously served as ambassador to Canada, and he was considered a protégé of one of Putin's close advisers.

Darchiev was appointed ambassador in Washington with the aim of leading an effort to draw closer to the Trump administration, despite his past record of public condemnations of the West. These steps raised concern in Ukraine and in European countries. The circumstances of the ambassador's death have not yet been published, and the Russian Foreign Ministry did not give the cause of death.