New US Ambassador to come to Russia shortly — Department of State

[millefleur 5,046]

WASHINGTON, January 4. /TASS/. Lynne Tracy, the new US Ambassador to Russia, will arrive in Moscow in coming days, Spokesman of the US Department of State Ned Price said at the briefing.

 

"She was just confirmed last year. The ambassador very much looks forward to moving to her post in Moscow," Price said. "She is someone who knows the bilateral relationship as well, if not better, than anyone. We look forward to having her in place, because it is important to have ambassadors representing the US around the world," he noted. "It is especially important in case of Russia, where we maintain the channels of communication," Price added.

 

Read more here: https://tass.com/russia/1558837

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by millefleur

[millefleur 5,046]

This could be promising as there is talk about getting the Moscow Embassy up and running again. Would be a game changer for everyone if true.

[Lynxyonok 316]

I remain hopeful about the situation although a bit skeptical.

 

This is an attempt to increase embassy staff which would not be possible without an equal expansion of staff of Russian embassy in USA. And that one just got cut by a number of personnel last year.

 

So, to me this looks like a PR campaign at best. "Hey, we want to offer services to Russian citizens, but Russian government won't let us."

[slavaskii 886]

That's very interesting she's actually going to Moscow. The ambassador appointed to Belarus under Trump - Fisher - never actually got to Belarus because the meeting with Lukashenko was refused. If I recall correctly, she set up operations in Vilnius with Tsikhanouskaya. 

 

Does this imply Tracy will actually be meeting with Putin? 

[millefleur 5,046]

6 hours ago, slavaskii said:

Does this imply Tracy will actually be meeting with Putin? 

I'm not sure, maybe not Putin but with someone who is close to him perhaps?

[Simplytex 387]

3 minutes ago, millefleur said:

I'm not sure, maybe not Putin but with someone who is close to him perhaps?

Yeah I would assume someone from the a ministry of foreign affairs, and likely just a deputy though would be a nice sign of the head minister turned up 

[millefleur 5,046]

15 hours ago, Lynxyonok said:

This is an attempt to increase embassy staff which would not be possible without an equal expansion of staff of Russian embassy in USA. And that one just got cut by a number of personnel last year.

Wasn't Covid still a thing last year though and thus an excuse for nothing getting done? Now that Covid is over, maybe there will be some change, let's see what happens...

[Lynxyonok 316]

8 hours ago, millefleur said:

Wasn't Covid still a thing last year though and thus an excuse for nothing getting done? Now that Covid is over, maybe there will be some change, let's see what happens...

No, it was not Covid-related.

 

The U.S. and Europe have jointly expelled more than 400 Russian diplomats and embassy workers since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in late February, according to an Axios count.

 

Russia must have responded in kind. Now US embassy in Moscow must be toothless.

 

Now, I'm all for my fiancée not having to jump 3 countries for what could have been a Zoom call. I just don't see this happening without a mirroring action benefitting Russia.

[millefleur 5,046]

1 hour ago, Lynxyonok said:

I just don't see this happening without a mirroring action benefitting Russia.

Clearly, but I assume the Ambassador knows that's her job. She can't just show up and demand stuff without bringing something to the table. The last few ambassadors have been so bad it seems anyone will be an improvement.

[Lynxyonok 316]

8 hours ago, millefleur said:

Clearly, but I assume the Ambassador knows that's her job. She can't just show up and demand stuff without bringing something to the table. The last few ambassadors have been so bad it seems anyone will be an improvement.

Yeah, this one is quite something.

 

To almost break apart a 25-year Russian-Armenian alliance - that's a feat.

 

It'd be fascinating to observe her first months in office.