Russia has appointed career diplomat Alexander Darchiyev as its new ambassador to the United States, filling a post that had been vacant since last year, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced.

Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to restore strained ties with Moscow, reaching out to President Vladimir Putin and initiating high-level talks for the first time since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in 2022.

Putin recalled his former envoy to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, last October but had not named a replacement amid deteriorating bilateral relations over the conflict in Ukraine.

"The US side has handed over an official note of consent on (Darchiev's) appointment," the Russian foreign ministry was quoted as saying by AFP.

Darchiyev has served in various Russian diplomatic posts since 1992, most recently as director of the North American department of the Russian foreign ministry.

"He is expected to leave for his post in Washington in the near future," the ministry added.

The announcement came after the two sides held fresh talks in Istanbul on February 27 aimed at resolving diplomatic issues after both countries expelled embassy officials from the other under US President Joe Biden. | BGNES