Ambassador to the Russian Federation

Today I announce the appointment of Mr John Geering as Australia's next Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

The Ambassador to the Russian Federation is also accredited to the Republics of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Turkmenistan.

Under Mr Geering's leadership, the Australian Embassy in Moscow will continue to directly convey Australia's steadfast opposition to Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, and the backing provided by Belarus.

Mr Geering will also work to preserve Australia's interests in Russia and other countries of accreditation and maintain our limited consular support to Australians in the region.

The Embassy will continue to foster ties with other partners in the region on shared interests, including regional security, trade and investment, and multilateral cooperation.

Mr Geering is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently First Assistant Secretary, Executive Division. He was previously First Assistant Secretary, Europe and Latin America Division.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Graeme Meehan for his strong leadership and contributions during one of the most challenging periods in the history of Australia's bilateral relationship with Russia.