U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman has submitted his resignation letter to President Donald Trump.
In his letter, Huntsman wrote he was leaving the position over his desire to return to the U.S. "to reconnect with [his] growing family and responsibilities at home." According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the former Utah governor is also considering another gubernatorial run. Huntsman's resignation will be effective Oct. 3.
President Trump tapped Huntsman for the position back in 2017. He'd previously served as ambassador to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and as ambassador to China under President Barack Obama. He also ran for president as a Republican in 2012.
Senior Trump administration officials told CNN that President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the need for a new U.S. ambassador in Russia during a phone call last week. An embassy source said Huntsman and his wife had been meeting with fellow diplomats over the last few months in preparation for his departure.
Huntsman's resignation comes at a particularly sensitive time between the U.S. and Russia. Robert Mueller's investigation concluded that Russia did meddle in the 2016 election. The former special counsel reiterated that during his testimony before House committees last month, adding that that he believes Russia will try to interfere in the 2020 election as well. And on Monday, Putin warned that his country will follow the U.S.' lead if it starts to develop missiles that were previously banned under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN
