U
S. Ambassador to Russia Will Soon Leave Her Post: Concluding a Diplomatic Chapter Amid Tensions The U.S. Embassy in Moscow officially announced the upcoming departure of Lynn Tracy from her position as the United States’ Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Although the exact date of her resignation has not yet been announced, diplomatic sources from the embassy hinted that her farewell address is expected to take place on the evening of Friday, June 13. She informed her colleagues of her intentions in advance, and this will mark the final stage of her tenure, which began in January 2023. Lynn Tracy’s career in Moscow lasted only a few months, but this period was characterized by exceptional tension in the bilateral relations between Russia and the United States. It was a time when the global situation became more complex due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, significantly undermining the already strained diplomatic ties between the two countries. In such challenging conditions, Tracy not only fulfilled her duties as the U.S. representative but also actively engaged in efforts to protect the interests of her fellow Americans in Russia. In particular, the ambassador distinguished herself as one of the leading voices advocating for the release of U.S. citizens detained in Russia. She actively collaborated with other diplomatic and human rights organizations to facilitate the return of journalist Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, both held hostage by the Russian side. These issues became some of the most acute in her diplomatic work, and her efforts were highly appreciated by the American public and official circles. The background of her appointment indicates that Tracy came to Moscow amid significant domestic and international challenges. Her predecessor in this high diplomatic position was John Sullivan, who served for nearly three years—from February 2020 until September 2022. His tenure was marked by relatively tense but constructive contacts with Russian colleagues, including diplomatic negotiations aimed at de-escalating conflicts and seeking pathways to stabilize relations. Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2017, a period of more active diplomatic engagement between the U.S. and Russia had begun. Although many issues remained unresolved—particularly in security and economic spheres—both sides made attempts to establish dialogue, which sometimes involved steps toward improving relations. Russia also changed its diplomatic personnel: Alexander Darchiev was appointed as the Russian ambassador to Washington, having already presented his credentials during Donald Trump’s presidency. It is expected that the farewell to Tracy will serve as an opportunity to reflect on her diplomatic mission in Russia. Currently, Moscow and Washington continue to engage in a complex dialogue within the context of sanctions, political disagreements, and the conflict in Ukraine. Recent months have demonstrated ongoing high tension, yet the exchange of diplomatic representatives indicates that some level of contact and diplomatic dialogue persists between the two nations. In this challenging period for international relations, this farewell marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in the career of one of American diplomacy’s key figures in Russia. She departs Moscow with many unresolved issues and a global challenge—strengthening security and stability worldwide—and the ongoing search for ways to improve bilateral relations. The U.S. continues to monitor developments in the region and prepares for new diplomatic steps that will constitute the next phase in its relationship with Russia.