Updated Sep 20, 2022 - World

Biden nominates Lynne Tracy as new ambassador to Russia

Ivana Saric

Hillary Clinton stands alongside Lynne Tracy (L) after presenting her with the Secretary's Award for Heroism during a ceremony at the State Department — Hillary Clinton stands alongside Lynne Tracy after presenting her with the Secretary's Award for Heroism in December 2009. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The Biden administration on Tuesday nominated Lynne Tracy, the current U.S. ambassador to Armenia, to become the next ambassador to Russia.

Driving the news: The move follows retiring Ambassador John Sullivan's abrupt departure from the post earlier this month following a three year term in the role.

Elizabeth Rood, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, assumed duties as charge d’affaires in the interim until Sullivan's replacement is appointed.

The big picture: Tracy is a career diplomat who previously served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow from 2014 to 2017.

Tracy, who speaks Russian, would be the first woman to serve in the role, per CNN.
Host countries typically approve an ambassador pick before they are announced, and U.S. officials had earlier initiated the process by floating Tracy's name to their Russian counterparts, CNN reported.
Last month, Biden nominated Rood to be the next U.S. ambassador to Turkmenistan.

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Biden nominates Lynne Tracy as new ambassador to Russia

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