A veteran diplomat known for his criticism of the West, Darchiev previously served as Russia's ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021. Darchiev took over the Washington assignment after the post had remained vacant following the departure of his predecessor, Anatoly Antonov, in October 2024. Russia's ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev, 66, had been appointed by Putin to lead a rapprochement with the Trump administration.