Alexander Darchiev, Russia ambassador who served during thaw, dies at 66
Reported by nytimes.com ·
Ministry announces his death
Russia’s foreign ministry announced Darchiev’s death on Wednesday. It did not provide a cause of death in its statement. The ministry called him an experienced leader and mentor, and described him as a specialist on the United States. It said he had worked in a demanding area of Russian foreign policy.
Diplomacy during a thaw
In an interview last year with Kommersant, Darchiev said, “certain improvements have been achieved” in dialogue over points of friction between the two countries. President Trump was also seeking a cease-fire agreement in the war, which began in 2022.
Earlier work in North America
Darchiev had served in Canada before taking the Washington post. According to a biography on the Russian Embassy’s website, he was Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2020.
Key points
- Russia’s foreign ministry announced Darchiev’s death at 66.
- He became Russia’s ambassador to the United States in 2025.
- His tenure coincided with improving relations between Washington and the Kremlin.
- Darchiev previously served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada and worked at its U.S. Embassy.