Trump Finally Picks an Ambassador to Russia

After a rocky relationship going back to the 2012 presidential election, in which Trump called him weak and a “lightweight,” Jon Huntsman Jr. has been chosen by President Trump as the next ambassador to Russia.

Huntsman should have no problem assuming this role. He has been an ambassador in the two previous administrations as well, first as Ambassador to Singapore under the Bush administration, and then as Ambassador to China in the Obama administration.

The pick wasn’t entirely a surprise, given that Trump had told the world in March that he would eventually name Huntsman the Ambassador to Russia, but only now has the pick been formalized.

NPR writes:

Tuesday night’s announcement ends months of delay in formalizing the appointment amid deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Russia.

The Washington Post reports:

“The White House confirmed in March that it would name Huntsman to the Russia post. But delayed formally naming him and sending the nomination to the Senate for confirmation as the United States waited for the Kremlin to approve his selection.

“The Kremlin approved Huntsman’s appointment Monday night about the same time that the United States approved Russian politician Anatoly Antonov to serve as Russia’s ambassador in Washington, according to a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly about pending appointments. Ambassadors must be approved by the governments of the countries that will host them.”