Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, died suddenly on Wednesday at age 66, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced. No cause of death has been released.
The ministry said it was announcing the death “with profound sorrow,” adding that “the cherished memory of our colleague will forever remain in our hearts.”
Darchiev had served as Russia’s ambassador in Washington since March 2025. Before that, he led the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North America Department, worked at Russia’s diplomatic mission in the United States, and served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021.
The Foreign Ministry described him as “an outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader, a kind friend, and a mentor,” calling him “a consummate professional and a brilliant expert on American affairs” who “served in one of the most critical areas of Russian foreign policy.”
Kirill Dmitriev, a special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, also paid tribute to Darchiev, writing: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Ambassador Darchiev. He was a man of exceptional honesty, integrity, professionalism, and a tireless advocate for peace. It was a great honor to know and work with him. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family.”
Darchiev’s death comes as Russia and Ukraine have recently begun trilateral talks aimed at ending the war, with reports of some progress in those negotiations.
No further details about the circumstances of his death have been made public.
