Russian Deputy FM Karasin is leaving his post

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin is leaving post due to his age. He will continue his work at the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament and will represent “Sakhalin” at the Federation Council, - Karasin confirmed this information two weeks ago.

Karasin is turning 70 on August 23 and he will not be entitled to hold any official position in the executive government.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he supervises one of the most important and the problematic direction – the issue of Ukraine, Belarus Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan including conflict zones.

According to “Kommersant” newspaper, there are three candidates selected for the post of the deputy minister. Ivan Volinkin, Director of the Consulate Department, has the best chance.

Volinkin has served at the representations of the Soviet Union and Russia in Yugoslavia, the US, Serbia, Montenegro, Georgia and Macedonia. He has been the assistant of Foreign Minister Lavrov. From 2013 to 2018 period of time, he was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Armenia.