MOSCOW, December 11. /TASS/. Russia has formally begun the approval process for its new ambassador to the United States, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov confirmed.

"A note requesting approval for our new ambassador to Washington has already been submitted," the senior Russian diplomat told reporters. However, he refrained from providing additional details.

According to a report by Kommersant, citing three sources, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North America Department Director, Alexander Darchiyev, has been nominated for the position of Russian ambassador to Washington. This claim has yet to be officially verified. While the Russian Foreign Ministry told TASS that a candidate for the diplomatic mission had been chosen some time ago, no public statements have been issued on the matter.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the appointment of the next Russian ambassador to the United States would occur in the near future.