Washington, D.C.: Victoria Nuland, the third-highest-ranking U.S. diplomat, known for her steadfast stance on Russia and vocal support for Ukraine, is set to retire this month, announced the State Department on Tuesday.
Nuland, a seasoned career foreign service officer, previously served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe during the Obama administration. However, she retired when Donald Trump assumed the presidency. Subsequently, she returned to government as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the Biden administration.
While Nuland had been considered for the position of deputy Secretary of State following Wendy Sherman’s retirement, she faced internal administration opposition. President Joe Biden ultimately nominated Kurt Campbell for the role, who assumed office last month.
Nuland’s diplomatic journey spans decades, including a pivotal period in Moscow during the tumultuous 1990s, witnessing the attempted coup against former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. She also served as the U.S. ambassador to NATO and held the role of State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton during President Barack Obama’s first term.
Known for her staunch advocacy for Ukraine, particularly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Nuland’s tenure drew criticism from Russian leaders. Former Secretary of State John Kerry recalled an exchange with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where Lavrov congratulated him for “getting rid of that woman”, to which Kerry responded by asserting her promotion rather than dismissal.
In a statement, current Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Nuland’s dedication throughout her three and a half decades of public service, highlighting her pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. He emphasized Nuland’s leadership on Ukraine, recognizing her instrumental efforts in confronting Russia’s aggression and fostering international solidarity in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and development.
Reflecting on Nuland’s contributions, Blinken stated, “Her efforts have been indispensable to confronting Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marshaling a global coalition to ensure his strategic failure, and helping Ukraine work toward the day when it will be able to stand strongly on its own feet – democratically, economically, and militarily.”
In Nuland’s absence, John Bass, a seasoned diplomat with significant experience including his role as ambassador to Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal, will temporarily assume the position of Under Secretary of State.
