Russia approves John Tefft as new US ambassador

Moscow said today it has approved the candidacy of a new US ambassador to Russia, John Tefft, who is known for his support for the pro-Western nations of Ukraine and Georgia.

"An agreement has been given," President Vladimir Putin's top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov told reporters, referring to a diplomatic procedure in which the host government accepts the nomination of an ambassador.

He said he knew Tefft well and called him a "first-class diplomat".

If confirmed by the US Senate, Tefft, a career diplomat with 40 years of experience, will succeed Michael McFaul, who quit his post in February after just two years on the job.
 

McFaul, a former Stanford university professor, frequently sparked Russia's fury with critical comments and meetings with Russian opposition activists.