Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Alexander Darchiev Dies Suddenly

The ministry posted the announcement on its official Telegram channel on Wednesday evening in Moscow. Interfax and RIA Novosti both carried the statement, quoting it in full.

“The leadership and staff of the Russian Foreign Ministry report with deep sorrow that on November 11, in his 67th year, Alexander Nikitich Darchiev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United States of America, died suddenly,” the ministry said.

Official biographical notes issued by the Russian Embassy in Washington say Darchiev was born in 1960, which would make him 66. The ministry did not give a cause of death or say where he died.

Ministry Offers Condolences

“An outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind comrade and mentor, has passed away,” the ministry said. It described him as “a consummate professional and a brilliant Americanist” who had worked “on one of the most responsible tracks of Russian foreign policy.”

The statement offered “the deepest and most sincere condolences” to his family and said “the bright memory of our colleague, who passed away untimely, will forever remain in our hearts.”

A Career Focused on North America

Darchiev entered the diplomatic service in 1992, according to the embassy’s official biography, which was also cited by RIA Novosti. He served as minister-counselor at the Russian Embassy in Washington from 2005 to 2010 and later led the Foreign Ministry’s North America department.

He was ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2020 and received the rank of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in February 2016. After returning to Moscow, he again headed the North America department from 2021 to 2024, then the North Atlantic department until 2025.

The embassy biography lists among his decorations the Order of Friendship and the Order of Honor.

Appointed to Washington in 2025

President Vladimir Putin appointed him ambassador to the United States on March 6, 2025, by presidential decree, succeeding Anatoly Antonov. He was also named Russia’s permanent observer to the Organization of American States in Washington.

He had been in the post for about 20 months. In June 2025, after presenting his credentials, Darchiev told President Donald Trump that he would work to restore relations, Reuters reported at the time.

Contacts between Washington and Moscow have continued through other channels, including planned meetings between U.S. envoys and President Vladimir Putin and a Kremlin proposal for a Trump-Xi summit on a Ukraine settlement.

The ministry’s statement did not name a successor or say who would temporarily head the embassy, and it provided no further details after the announcement.