WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 3, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have discussed replacing former Utah governor Jon Huntsman as the U.S. ambassador to Russia, according to CNN.
The discussion took place Thursday in a phone call initiated by Trump, CNN reported.
Trump reportedly made the call to offer U.S. support for Russian firefighting efforts in Siberia before the discussion turned to Huntsman.
Trump told reporters the phone call was brief, saying he and Putin “had a good talk, a short talk, but a good talk.”
Huntsman has held the ambassador job since 2017.
While generally maintaining a low profile, he raised eyebrows in January 2019 when he visited Paul Whelan, an American businessman jailed on espionage charges in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison.
Huntsman’s direct involvement reflected concerns Whelan’s arrest was retaliation for the U.S. conviction of Russian spy Maria Butina. Butina pleaded guilty in federal court in 2018 for attempting to access conservative political circles and influence U.S. relations with Russia.
According to CNN, “embassy sources” in Moscow claim Huntsman and wife Mary Kaye have been engaged in a farewell tour, “having dinners with fellow diplomats and others as they prepare to leave the country.”
Huntsman’s longevity as ambassador has been in question for months.
In November 2018 it was revealed he had returned to Utah where he’d undergone treatment for stage one melanoma. That health scare however appears to be behind him.
In early 2019, a variety of news outlets reported Huntsman was seriously exploring another possible run for Utah governor, a position he held from 2005 to 2009, before stepping down to accept a position with the Obama administration as U.S. ambassador to China.
He also ran for the GOP’s presidential nomination in 2012.
Huntsman originally committed to working two years as the U.S. ambassador to Russia, a deadline that is fast approaching.
If Huntsman does run for Utah’s top job, his work may be cut out for him. A poll released by the Salt Lake Chamber two days ago showed him trailing Lt. Governor Spencer Cox among likely voters 33% to 32%.
Mary Kaye Huntsman is expressing exasperation over CNN’s story. Saturday morning she posted a statement on Instagram blasting the report:
“I rarely speak out about inaccurate news reports — have endured them for years — it’s part of life in the public eye. I’ve never used my Instagram account to support your completely fabricated statements of our Moscow departure and “farewell tour” of “several months”, when we haven’t even announced our departure. Our announcement will be coming soon and I’m sure we’ll at that point say goodbye to many friends before we leave. But your story by THREE reporters @pamelabrown @kyliecnn and Caroline Kelly — not even part of your Moscow bureau — (along with some unnamed embassy source) was disingenuous. Our work here has been tough and emotionally wrenching with countless colleagues expelled under unprecedented conditions in our relationship. Farewell “tours” don’t happen here. Only a salute to the U.S. marines as you depart. That should have been your story.”
