Biden nominates Lynne Tracy as new Russian ambassador

Lynne Tracy

US Department of State

President Joe Biden announced he would appoint Lynne Tracy, the current ambassador to Armenia, as US ambassador to Russia.

Tracy, a career diplomat, will succeed John Sullivan, who left Moscow earlier this month and announced his intention to retire. Tracy was the second-ranking officer at the US Embassy in Moscow and Deputy Chief of Mission from 2014 to 2017. She also previously served as senior adviser on Russia affairs in the Office of European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State.

Tracy’s appointment comes at a crucial time in US-Russia relations amid tensions over the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Throughout her career, Tracy has worked at US diplomatic outposts including in Turkmenistan, Pakistan and Kazakhstan. Tracy studied Soviet science and has a law degree. She speaks Russian.

Elizabeth Rood, deputy chief of mission to Russia, has headed the US embassy in Moscow since Sullivan left.