The diplomat who has been leading efforts to revive stalled U.S. denuclearization talks with North Korea, Stephen Biegun, is under consideration to be U.S. President Donald Trump’s next ambassador to Russia, a source familiar with the matter said.
The current ambassador to Moscow, Jon Huntsman, is due to step down in October after two years in the post, the State Department said last week, amid speculation he plans to run for Utah governor.
On August 9, Vox news quoted two people familiar with internal White House discussions as saying that Biegun, the current U.S. special representative for North Korea, was Trump’s likely choice for Moscow.
A source familiar with the matter said that Biegun’s name was under consideration, Reuters reported.
Biegun did not immediately respond when asked about the Vox report. The State Department said it had no administrative announcements to make.
Biegun, 56, studied political science and Russian language at the University of Michigan and was resident director for the International Republican Institute in Moscow from 1992-1994. He has also as served on the board of the non-profit U.S.-Russia Foundation for Economic Development and the Rule of Law.
Trump considering North Korea envoy as ambassador to Russia
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