MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/. The possibility the United States may replace its ambassador to Russia is standard diplomatic practice and the Russian Foreign Ministry will not make any comments until official confirmation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a news briefing on Friday.

"As for media reports, we see no reason why we should comment on them," Zakharova said when asked about media reports Utah’s former governor Jon Huntsman might be selected for the post. "There is a corresponding procedure, which is launched when this or that country finds it necessary to replace the ambassador. This is standard diplomatic practice."

"And, of course, this is a decision to be made by the administration in Washington first," Zakharova said, adding that all further work through corresponding channels may begin only after that.

The NBC television network has quoted its source as saying Huntsman had given his consent to becoming the US ambassador in Moscow. Last week Huntsman had a meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. He also contacted US President Donald Trump’s advisers and, possibly, the president himself

Politico said that Huntsman had been invited to take the post of US ambassador in Moscow. The daily said the former Utah governor was to send his written consent to the White House first. After that Washington would formally announce his nomination for the position.

During the 2016 presidential election race Huntsman supported Trump after a number of critical statements addressed to the Republican candidate.