The US diplomatic mission in Russia announced that US ambassador John Sullivan completed his work in Russia and left Moscow on Sunday.

"U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation John J. Sullivan has concluded his tenure as U.S. envoy and departed Moscow today... Elizabeth Rood will assume duties as Charge d’Affaires at U.S. Embassy Moscow until Ambassador Sullivan’s successor arrives," the embassy said in a statement.  

However, alongside this announcement, Washington said it does not seek to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Russia. 

"We do not comment on steps and procedures for the rotation of heads of diplomatic missions. In any case, we are not talking about downgrading the US diplomatic mission in Russia," the source said.  

According to the US embassy, Sullivan stood down, leaving Moscow after three years of working in Russia. The next to head the mission is Elizabeth Rood until the replacement for the ambassador arrives. 

In June, the US Embassy in Russia announced the return of Ambassador John Sullivan to Moscow after being absent for two months, as part of the summit repercussions that brought together US Presidents Joe Biden and Russian Vladimir Putin on June 16.

His return to Moscow came after returning the Russian ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, to Washington.