The Senate confirmed Tefft in a voice vote on July 31, 2014. The confirmation followed several attempts as a number of ambassadorial appointments were being held up at the time. Strained relations with Russia over pro-separatist activity in eastern Ukraine, the country's annexation of Crimea, and the alleged shooting down of a commercial airliner, prompted senators to finally approve the nomination. He presented his credentials to President Vladimir Putin on November 19, 2014, and left the position on September 28, 2017. In 2016, the Russian governor of the Samara Oblast, Nikolay Merkushkin, advised AvtoVAZagregat employees for help in paying wages and appeals to US Ambassador John Tefft. Awards Tefft has received a number of awards, including the State Department Distinguished Honor Award in 1992 and the DCM of the Year Award for his service in Moscow in 1999. He received Presidential Meritorious Service Awards in 2001 and 2005. See also List of ambassadors of the United States References External links Tefft's testimony on Ukraine, Dec 2004 Bio and photo |- |- |- 1949 births Ambassadors of the United States to Georgia (country) Ambassadors of the United States to Lithuania Ambassadors of the United States to Russia Ambassadors of the United States to Ukraine Georgetown University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni Living people Marquette University alumni Recipients of St. George's Order of Victory People from Madison, Wisconsin United States Foreign Service personnel 21st-century American diplomats