In the midst of the most tense ties that have been established between the two nations since the end of the Cold War, the United States Ambassador to Russia resigned from his position in Moscow on Sunday.
The nomination of the envoy, John Sullivan, to the position of ambassador to Russia in 2019 was approved by the Senate with a vote of 70-22. The president of the United States, Donald Trump, made the selection. According to Bloomberg, he was one of a select few Trump appointees to a diplomatic position who was asked to remain in their position by the administration of President Joe Biden.
John Sullivan, who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia as President Putin invaded Ukraine and returned full-scale war to the European continent, has left his post and departed Moscow. https://t.co/PrNUqJi7ql
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 5, 2022
Sullivan’s decision to end his tenure in public service will take effect immediately after his departure, which was disclosed in a statement issued by the United States Embassy in Russia.
Sullivan was a proponent of increased communication between the United States and Russia, particularly during as tense a time as ever, more than 6 months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of (Redacted). This was especially true given the current state of affairs.
During an interview in June with TASS, the interviewer inquired as to whether or not he believes that the Russian and American embassies could be closed down. His response was, “They could be, they could very well be, although I think it would be a big mistake.” He stated that the only reason the United States would close its embassy would be due to security concerns. He underlined that there were no plans inside the United States government to close the embassy.
During the same interview, he shared his dismal outlook on the future of relations between the United States and Russia. When asked how long he believes it will take for relations to return to normal, he reacted by stating that it will be years, if not longer, before they return to normal. The process is going to be very time-consuming for firms. And at that point is when people are in a position to desire it, and at the moment, they are leaving, so they aren’t even contemplating that.
Sullivan had a career in public service that spanned four decades and was overseen by five different presidents.
In a statement released by the United States Embassy in Russia, it was announced that following his exit; he will retire from a public service professional life that has encompassed four decades and five presidents of the United States, including service as the Deputy Secretary of State and in top roles at the Departments of Justice, Defense, and Commerce. Until Ambassador Sullivan’s successor arrives, the responsibilities of Charge d’Affaires at the United States Embassy in Moscow will be taken over by Elizabeth Rood.