Russia ambassador pick aces hearing
Huntsman lays blame at Kremlin’s doorstep
WASHINGTON — Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Russia, told Congress on Tuesday that Moscow’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election led directly to the lack of trust between the two former Cold War foes.
Appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Huntsman struck a tough tone amid heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow. The relationship has been marred in recent months by a series of expulsions of diplomats and closures of diplomatic missions.
“There is no question that the Russian government interfered in the U.S. election last year, and Moscow continues to meddle in the democratic processes of our friends and allies,” said Huntsman, who also noted that Russia continues to disregard its commitments to arms control treaties.
“Right now we’re at a low point,” he said. “It reminds me of 1986.”
He said he would not hesitate to remind Russian officials that they are accountable for their actions. But he also said there are areas of possible cooperation and common interest for Russia and the United States, including defusing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and missions in space.
Huntsman breezed through his confirmation hearing, with Republicans and Democrats hailing him as highly qualified for the job.
He’s a former Utah governor who has twice served as an ambassador. He was the nation’s top diplomat to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and then served in that role in China under President Barack Obama before returning to the U.S. to run for president in 2012.