New US ambassador to Russia promises to restore confidence between countries
The new US Ambassador to Russia, Jon Huntsman, while presenting his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said he would work to restore confidence and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, Radio Liberty reports.
The American diplomat added that he intends to "seek out Russian people from all walks of life to share perspectives, [and] to relay American values."
During the formal ceremony of presenting credentials at the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin noted that relations between Moscow and Washington "cannot satisfy us" and said that Russia stands for "constructive, predictable and mutually beneficial cooperation" with the United States.
He also added that the basis for such cooperation should be strict observance of the principles of equality, respect for national interests and non-interference in internal affairs.
On September 28, the US Senate unanimously approved the candidacy of the former governor of Utah, Republican Jon Huntsman, as Ambassador to Russia.
Speaking at the hearings in the Senate, Huntsman called Moscow's policy one of the United States’ main foreign policy challenges.
According to him, Russia continues to threaten security and stability in Europe, violating the sovereignty of neighboring countries.
Huntsman repeatedly stated that the Russian government interfered in the election of the US president last year.
Jon Huntsman previously served as US Ambassador to Singapore and China.
In 2012, he fought for the Republican Party presidential nomination, but lost in the primaries to Mitt Romney.
The previous US ambassador to Russia was John Tefft. Tefft had held the position since 2014.