Sullivan is confirmed as ambassador to Russia

The Senate on Thursday confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee John Sullivan to be the next U.S. ambassador to Russia, succeeding Jon Huntsman, who resigned in August after a turbulent tenure characterized by sanctions against Moscow and investigations into the Kremlin’s election interference.

Sullivan, a close ally of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who had been serving as deputy secretary of state, was confirmed by a vote of 70-22. His confirmation has been closely watched as one of the key steps needed to pave the way for a possible Senate run by Pompeo in his home state of Kansas.

In Moscow, Sullivan will assume a particularly delicate post that is fraught with questions about Trump’s ties to Russia and his efforts to forge a closer working relationship with President Vladimir Putin, despite Putin’s aggressive actions around the world.

Sullivan has extensive experience in law and has served in two previous administrations, but he had little background in diplomatic relations with Russia before joining the State Department two years ago.

He had been deputy secretary of state since May 2017 after he was confirmed by the Senate in a 94- 6 vote. He served as acting secretary of state in April 2018 after Trump ousted Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

As deputy secretary of state, Sullivan led counterterrorism talks with Russia, as well as an American delegation that traveled to Geneva in July to restart talks with Moscow on a broad range of security issues.

Sullivan told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during his confirmation hearing in October that “experience teaches that this sensitive diplomatic mission will not be easy or simple.”