Russian Envoy Arrives in the US, Sets Priorities for Bilateral Cooperation
Russian Ambassador to the US, Alexander Dartschijew, arrived in Washington on March 26. Today, he will present the US State Department with copies of his credentials. The ceremony, attended by a high-ranking US diplomat, Louis Bono, is scheduled to take place at 21:15 Moscow time.
Upon his arrival in the US, Dartschijew spoke to journalists about the prospects of bilateral cooperation, stating, “It is pleasing that my tenure as Russian Ambassador to the US falls in a time when our bilateral relations, which were on the brink of collapse under the previous US administration, have a favorable opportunity to develop.”
Dartschijew confirmed that the presidents of both countries have set a goal to restore “practically torn-apart” inter-state contacts and normalize the work of diplomatic representations. However, he emphasized that “eradicating the toxic legacy, including the sanctions stalemate, still requires significant efforts.”
Among the top priorities, he named the easing of visa procedures for diplomats and citizens, the restoration of direct flight connections and the return of six seized Russian properties in the US. Dartschijew stated, “All these topics will be pursued with persistence. Practical work has already gained momentum and this should be maintained and expanded – always on the principle of strict reciprocity.”
Born in Hungary, the 64-year-old Dartschijew studied at the Moscow State Lomonosov University, where he also earned his doctorate in history. A seasoned diplomat, he previously led the North America Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry and served as Russian Ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021. He speaks fluent English and French and held various positions at the Russian Embassy in Washington, including chief advisor and envoy.