Lynne Tracy, the first female U.S. ambassador to Russia, is stepping down after a challenging tenure marked by strained relations between the two countries. Tracy, who has been in Moscow since January 2023, expressed pride in representing the U.S. during such difficult times.
In her farewell message shared on the U.S. embassy’s Telegram channel, Tracy reflected on her experiences and the inspiring Russians she met who work for a better future. She quoted lines from Pushkin’s poem “To Chaadayev,” emphasizing the deep love for one’s homeland.
Tracy’s departure comes amid discussions about a potential reset in U.S.-Russia relations, which soured significantly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite the tensions, President Donald Trump has hinted at possible investment opportunities and expressed frustration over the lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Tracy was appointed by President Joe Biden and took over from John Sullivan, who retired. Before her ambassadorship, she served as the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow from 2014 to 2017 and was the ambassador to Armenia. Tracy speaks Russian and has worked at U.S. diplomatic missions in Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan.
During her time in Russia, Tracy was involved in efforts to secure the release of American citizens detained there, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, who were released in a significant prisoner exchange in August 2024.
The U.S. embassy praised Tracy for her dedication to diplomacy and respect for Russian culture, highlighting her contributions during her time in office. As she prepares to leave, Tracy remains hopeful that her colleagues will continue to foster relations with the Russian people.