Politics
Russian Ambassador to U.S. Alexander Darchiev Dies at 66
Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to the United States since March 2025, died suddenly in Moscow from a chronic illness, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. The 66-year-old career diplomat was known for his sharp public criticism of the West.
Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to the United States, died Wednesday in Moscow at age 66, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry. The ministry said in a social media statement that Darchiev "passed away suddenly," while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a separate statement that he died from a chronic illness.
"We have lost an outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind colleague and a mentor," the ministry said. "An exceptional professional and a distinguished expert on the United States, Alexander Darchiev served in one of the most demanding areas of Russian foreign policy."
Darchiev was appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2025, shortly after President Donald Trump returned to the White House. He was known for his public denunciations of the West, a posture that defined much of his tenure in Washington during a period of deeply strained U.S.-Russia relations.
His death comes at a delicate moment for diplomacy between the two countries, which have maintained formal diplomatic ties despite sharp disagreements over Ukraine and other security issues. The ambassador's passing leaves a vacancy at the top of Russia's diplomatic mission in Washington as both governments navigate an uncertain bilateral relationship.
The Foreign Ministry did not provide further details about the circumstances of his death beyond Zakharova's statement that it resulted from a chronic illness. Darchiev's career spanned decades in Russia's diplomatic service, with a focus on U.S. affairs that made him a prominent, if controversial, voice in Washington.