Kremlin Approves John Tefft as U.S. Ambassador to Russia

By The Moscow Times

July 9, 2014

Kremlin approves John Tefft as possible new US ambassador to Russia.

The Kremlin has formally approved the appointment of John Tefft as the new U.S ambassador to Russia, foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov confirmed Wednesday.

Ushakov told reporters Tefft was a "professional diplomat," and would be a good candidate for the job, given he has worked in the country before and speaks the language, news agency ITAR-Tass reported.

Washington in June requested Moscow's formal approval for the appointment, following the resignation of former Ambassador Michael McFaul in February.

Tefft has more than 40 years experience working in the foreign service, most recently serving as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2009-2013.

He will assume his post in Moscow as relations between the U.S. and Russia hit one of their lowest points in recent times, following the latter's annexation of Crimea in March and the subsequent imposition of U.S. sanctions on Russian officials and businessmen.

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