US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan left Moscow on Sunday after completing his mandate, the diplomatic mission said in a statement, AFP reported.

“Ambassador to the Russian Federation John J. Sullivan completed his term of office as the representative of the United States and left Moscow today,” the embassy reported. Mr. Sullivan was appointed ambassador to Moscow in December 2019.

“Upon his departure, he will conclude a career in public administration that has spanned four decades and spanned five US presidents,” the embassy added.

The 62-year-old native of Boston (Massachusetts) was the deputy secretary of state under President Donald Trump and held several positions in the departments of justice, defense and commerce of the United States.

Another member of the embassy, ​​Elizabeth Rudd, will fill in until Sullivan’s successor arrives, the embassy said, without providing further details.

Sullivan’s departure comes at a time when relations between the United States and Russia are experiencing their worst crisis since the end of the Cold War.

After the Russian offensive in Ukraine began in late February, the United States imposed several sets of economic sanctions against Moscow and provided significant military aid to Kyiv.

The US Embassy in Moscow has been trying in recent weeks to secure the release of US citizens detained in Russia, such as basketball player Brittney Griner, who was sentenced last month to nine years in prison for “drug trafficking”.