Russia has named career diplomat Alexander Darchiev as new ambassador to the United States

Russia has named career diplomat Alexander Darchiev as new ambassador to the United States, filling a role vacant since last year in another sign of easing tensions. US president Donald Trump has sought to restore ruptured ties with Moscow since taking office, reaching out to president Vladimir Putin and initiating high-level talks for the first time since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in 2022. Putin withdrew his former envoy to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, last October but had not named a replacement amid abysmal bilateral relations over the Ukraine conflict.