Russia's ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev dies suddenly at 66

Nov 11, 2026

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced that Alexander Darchiev, Russia's ambassador to the United States, died suddenly in Moscow on November 11, 2026, at age 66. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Darchiev had been receiving treatment for a long-term illness. Appointed by President Vladimir Putin in March 2025 to lead rapprochement with the Trump administration, Darchiev was a veteran diplomat who previously served as ambassador to Canada.

Alexander Darchiev dies in Moscow

▪Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Alexander Darchiev had been receiving treatment for a chronic long-term illness before his death
▪Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Alexander Darchiev died suddenly at age 66

Tributes to Alexander Darchiev

▪The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement describing Alexander Darchiev as an outstanding diplomat and a distinguished expert on United States affairs
▪The Russian Embassy in Washington stated that Alexander Darchiev devoted his life to steadfastly defending Russian interests and building relations with the United States

Diplomatic career of Alexander Darchiev

▪Alexander Darchiev served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021 and led the Foreign Ministry's North America and North Atlantic departments
▪Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Alexander Darchiev as ambassador to the United States in March 2025 to pursue diplomatic rapprochement with the Trump administration
▪Alexander Darchiev led Russia's delegation during bilateral talks with the United States in Istanbul in February 2025
▪Alexander Darchiev graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 1983 and entered diplomatic service in 1992

Career and death of Vitaly Churkin

▪Former Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin died suddenly following cardiac arrest in New York in February 2017 at age 64
▪Vitaly Churkin served as Russia's ambassador to the United Nations from 2006 until his death, making him the longest-serving ambassador on the UN Security Council