George W. Bush has nominated John Beyrle to be the new U.S. Ambassador to Russia. The Senate in Washington must approve the choice before any appointment is made.
Beyrle, who is currently U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria, is widely recognised as an expert in Russian and East European affairs. He will replace William Burns, who has been promoted to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third top-ranking post at the State Department. Beyrle joined the State Department in 1983, served his first tour as a political officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow (1983-1985), and later was Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow (2003-2005).