MOSCOW, Aug. 6, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — United States Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. has resigned from the position.
An Aug. 5 resignation letter to Pres. Donald Trump, shared by news site Axios, cites Huntsman’s desire to reconnect with his growing family and responsibilities at home as his reasons for resigning. Read the full lower on this page.
Huntsman’s letter does not directly criticize Trump’s public admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it does stress that America needs to keep a close eye on Putin’s regime.
“Going forward, we must continue to hold Russia accountable when its behavior threatens us and our allies,” Huntsman’s letter says. “While much of what divides us is irreconcilable, there are common interests. No reset or restart is going to help, just a clear understanding of our interests and values — and a practical framework for sustaining dialogue.
“Through our diplomacy, we have worked to stabilize years of acrimony and incertitude with the home of a better relationship. Failure is not an option, and the people on both sides deserve better. While times are tough, it is critical that we increase exchanges of people and maintain channels for dialogue on issues of national interest — combating terrorism, ensuring verifiable arms control, insisting that Russia respect the sovereignty of its neighbors, and advocating for a more responsive system of governance that includes rule of law and respect for human rights.”
Trump-Putin discussion
CNN had reported last week that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed replacing former Utah governor Jon Huntsman as the U.S. ambassador to Russia. The discussion took place Thursday, Aug. 1, CNN reported.
Trump reportedly made the call to offer U.S. support for Russian firefighting efforts in Siberia before the discussion turned to Huntsman, the news network said.
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.
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 expressed exasperation over CNN’s story. On 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.”
The resignation letter
Huntsman’s resignation letter is shown, in full, below:
Dear Mr. President,
American citizenship is a privilege and I believe the most basic responsibility is service to country. To that end, I am honored by the trust you have placed win me as United States Ambassador to Russia during this historically difficult period in bilateral relations.
Mary Kaye and I have given this sensitive assignment our very best. During our time abroad, we have experienced family deaths, births and military deployment, not unlike many families serving our nation abroad. During my tenure, I had the high honor of leading hundreds of talented, patriotic public servants who are themselves laboring under extremely difficult circumstances to promote and protect America’s interests. They have endured unprecedented expulsions, forced departures, and enormous professional disruptions. Though largely anonymous, your team in Mission Russia is first-rate and every American would be proud of their work. Their efforts away from loved ones, in one of the world’s most forbidding environments, are nothing short of inspiring. They deserve our endless gratitude.
Going forward, we must continue to hold Russia accountable when its behavior threatens us and our allies. While much of what divides us is irreconcilable, there are common interests. No reset or restart is going to help, just a clear understanding of our interests and values — and a practical framework for sustaining dialogue. Through our diplomacy, we have worked to stabilize years of acrimony and incertitude with the home of a better relationship. Failure is not an option, and the people on both sides deserve better. While times are tough, it is critical that we increase exchanges of people and maintain channels for dialogue on issues of national interest — combating terrorism, ensuring verifiable arms control, insisting that Russia respect the sovereignty of its neighbors, and advocating for a more responsive system of governance that includes rule of law and respect for human rights.
It has been a singular honor along with so many others at Mission Russia who have given their all in serving our country at Embassy Moscow and our Consulates in Vladivostok and Yekaterinburg. Yet, as I have shared with you and Secretary Pompeo, our desire is to return to the United States after two years to reconnect with our growing family and responsibilities at home.
Therefore, I humbly resign my office as United States Ambassador to Russia, effective October 2, 2019. It is my home that this will allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed. I pledge my full effort in facilitating a smooth transition that ensures our foreign policy goals are kept in Proper focus.
Most sincerely, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. United States Ambassador to Russia.
