Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, died in Moscow on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at age 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said he died from an unspecified chronic illness, according to the Associated Press.

Darchiev had served as ambassador in Washington since early 2025, a post he took up as Moscow and Washington sought to restore diplomatic channels. His death leaves a senior vacancy during a period of renewed contact between the two governments.

A veteran diplomat during renewed US-Russia contacts

Before taking the Washington post, Darchiev led the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North America department and served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada. He also took part in US-Russia discussions in Istanbul in February 2025, AP reported. Reuters described his 2025 appointment as part of the Trump administration’s effort to reopen relations with Moscow.

Those diplomatic contacts have since included renewed discussions over the war in Ukraine. Darchiev’s role placed him among the officials handling the bilateral channel, though the two governments have continued to hold sharply different positions on the conflict and broader security questions.

What is known about his death

The Foreign Ministry announced Darchiev’s death on Wednesday. Zakharova identified an unspecified chronic illness as the cause, while the ministry had not announced funeral arrangements in its initial statement. No further medical details were released in the reports reviewed for this article.

For additional reporting on diplomacy and international developments, see The Globuzz’s World coverage.

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Sources: Associated Press; Reuters, republished by Investing.com.