Biden suggests new Russia envoy – media

Lynne Tracy beforehand labored on the US embassy in Moscow

President Joe Biden will nominate Lynne Tracy to function the US’ new ambassador to Russia, CNN reported on Wednesday. Tracy will substitute John Sullivan, who has served within the function since 2019, and her nomination comes at an historic low level in relations between Washington and Moscow.

CNN cited nameless sources in reporting Tracy’s obvious appointment, with the State Division declining to remark. Her nomination must be permitted by Russia, and CNN famous that approval is often given behind the scenes by a number nation earlier than an envoy is formally introduced.

Tracy is presently serving because the US’ ambassador to Armenia. A Russian speaker, she served because the deputy chief of mission on the US embassy in Moscow between 2014 and 2017, a put up that made her Washington’s quantity two diplomat in Russia.

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If confirmed for the job, Tracy will substitute John Sullivan, who served as ambassador to Russia from 2019 till his departure from Moscow earlier this month. Previous to his return to the US, Sullivan admitted in June that relations between Moscow and Washington had hit an all-time low amid the Russian army offensive in Ukraine. This has made any productive cooperation between the international locations unlikely within the quick time period, he added.

With Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing NATO of waging a “battle by proxy” in opposition to Russia in Ukraine, and Biden promising to maintain arming Ukraine for “so long as it takes,” relations between Moscow and Washington are presently at one of many lowest factors in historical past.

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