John Sullivan’s return to the US for consultations leaves both embassies without their top diplomats during a critical time in US-Russia relations.
In a significant move, US Ambassador to Moscow, John Sullivan, has announced he will return to the United States for consultations. His departure comes shortly after the Russian government recommended he leave the country, citing the “extremely tense” state of bilateral relations. This development leaves both the US and Russian embassies without their top diplomats at a crucial time, as tensions between the two nations escalate.
The situation is particularly fraught, with recent sanctions announced by both countries, a growing Russian military presence near Ukraine, and concerns over the health of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who remains in detention. Sullivan emphasized that his trip back to Washington was vital for direct discussions with the Biden administration regarding the current state of relations between the US and Russia. Additionally, he noted the personal importance of reconnecting with his family, whom he has not seen in over a year. Sullivan is expected to return to Moscow in the coming weeks, ahead of any potential meeting between Presidents Biden and Putin.
