Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov Highlights Not Approved By Russian Ambassador To The United States

The Russian Embassy in Washington DC United States. (Wikimedia Commons/dbking)

JAKARTA - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said there was no progress in the situation regarding the new Russian ambassador, as Washington's break became increasingly worrying.

"There is no progress in terms of approval (the process for the new Russian ambassador). We are in waiting mode. Time is ongoing. And even though we are not yet in the alert zone regarding the duration of this waiting period, we have gradually approached it. Therefore, we would like to hear a signal from Washington that a favorable decision has been made," he told TASS as quoted January 31.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov stressed that without ambassadors, any diplomatic missions, especially in the US capital, would not work as effectively as they should.

"With the start of a new government, I believe the US side also wants to return all communication mechanisms between countries to normal. Therefore, we urge ([US) to pay attention to this story," he added.

In late November, Russian media reported the Director of the North American Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexander Darchiev would be Russia's new ambassador to the US, replacing Anatoly Antonov, who returned to Moscow after being relieved of his duties as ambassador based on President Vladimir Putin's decision.

This claim has not been officially confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS a candidate for a diplomatic mission had been selected some time ago, but no public statement has yet been issued on this matter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has previously stated that the next appointment of the Russian ambassador to the United States will soon be made.