Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Alexander Darchiev, the country’s ambassador to the United States, had died at age 66^2,5,6.

The ministry did not give a cause or place of death, describing the death as sudden, ABC News reported².

Darchiev had headed the Russian Embassy in Washington since March 2025, ABC News and Meduza said^2,5. The Boston Globe, citing his embassy profile, said he succeeded Anatoly Antonov, who was relieved in late 2024³.

Meduza said he joined the Foreign Ministry in 1992, served as minister-counselor in Washington from 2005 to 2010, and was ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021⁵. ABC News likewise listed the Canada posting and a later turn heading the ministry’s North America department².

Meduza said he led Russia’s delegation at talks with the United States in Istanbul in February 2025⁵.

The Kyiv Independent said his Washington tenure coincided with resumed U.S.–Russia contacts under President Donald Trump’s effort to broker an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine, and that the death was announced the same day U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Ukrainian and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi⁶.

The Kyiv Independent quoted the ministry offering condolences to Darchiev’s family⁶.

The Guardian and SCMP also reported the ministry’s announcement of a sudden death at 66^1,4. What remains unknown is how and where he died, and who will be named to the Washington post.