Meet the Man Rumored to Be Russia's Next UN Ambassador

April 5, 2017

Vasily Nebenzya Anton Novoderezhkin / TASS

Moscow's top choice to represent the Kremlin at the United Nations has been revealed as Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya.

While no official decision has yet been made, Russia's Kommersant newspaper reported on Wednesday that four government sources had named Nebenzya as the Kremlin's leading candidate.

The 55-year-old Nebenzya, who has worked in the Foreign Ministry since 1983, would replace former UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin in February. Churkin, who passed away from a sudden heart attack earlier this year, was 65.

Beyond the foreign postings that characterize a successful career in the foreign service, Nebenzya has specialized in diplomatic work with international organizations. He was previously posted to Russia’s UN missions in both New York and Geneva.

Russia also has other important diplomatic positions to fill in the United States. Russia’s ambassador to Washington, 66-year-old Sergey Kislyak, is expected to be rotated out in the near future. His expected replacement is former Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov.

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