The media reported on plans to appoint the British ambassador to Russia to the post of ambassador to the United States.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering the candidacy of the country's current ambassador to Russia, Nigel Casey, for the post of ambassador to Washington. This was reported by The Guardian on December 13.

"The trio of candidates <...> Varun Chandra, his business adviser, who helped conclude a number of deals with the administration of [US President Donald] Trump, Christian Turner, a diplomat who was to become ambassador to the United Nations, and Nigel Casey, the British ambassador to Russia," the article says.

According to the newspaper, whoever is appointed will have to take up the post at a critical moment in US-British relations, which are under strain due to disagreements over Ukraine and the aggressive strategy of the White House.

According to the newspaper, Chandra, who played a key role in negotiating a number of deals with the Trump administration, is considered the favorite, but many in the British government advocate appointing an experienced diplomat, which, according to some, reduces political risks.

On the brakes: London stopped sharing intelligence with Washington on ships

Colombia followed the UK in taking a similar step.

In September, Starmer fired British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson over his ties to notorious financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to British Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty, the emails showed that the depth and extent of the ambassador's relationship with Epstein are significantly different from those that were known at the time of his appointment.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.