US proposes Richard Norland, ex-Ambasador to Georgia, as Ambassador to Russia – reports

The United States has proposed veteran diplomat Richard Norland as its next ambassador to Russia, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.

Norland, who currently serves as the US special representative for Libya, has more than 40 years of diplomatic experience. His previous roles include serving as US ambassador to Georgia from 2012 to 2015, a period that saw a change in the country’s government. He has also held postings in Bahrain, Norway, and the Soviet Union.

Reports suggest that Norland’s nomination was put forward by the administration of former US President Joe Biden, and the current US government has not altered the proposal.

Meanwhile, Moscow has reportedly put forward Alexander Darchiev, a senior Russian diplomat, as its candidate for ambassador to Washington. However, his appointment has not yet been confirmed due to the lack of official consent from the US.

Lynn Tracy has served as the US ambassador to Russia since 2023. The current Russian ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has held the position since 2017, with his term set to expire in October 2024.

Neither the US nor Russian governments have officially commented on the reported nominations.