Biden nominates Lynn Tracy as next ambassador to Russia

President Joe Biden on Tuesday tapped U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynn Tracy to take up the same post in Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Tracy was previously senior adviser for Russia in the State Department Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Moscow, according to The Hill. She has also served in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan.

Her appointment follows the departure of Trump appointee John Sullivan, whom Biden had retained. Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow Elizabeth Rood filled the post in the interim, the outlet noted.

Tracy's appointment comes as Russia continues to prosecute its war in Ukraine and plans to formally annex occupied territories, even in the face of a Ukrainian counterattack. Ongoing U.S. sanctions against Moscow will further complicate her role.