Who Has the Right to Give Orders to the Russian Ambassador in Russia?

Who Has the Right to Give Orders to the Russian Ambassador in Russia?

In the Russian Federation, the President of Russia is the head of state and the ultimate authority over foreign affairs. Under the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the President is responsible for receiving ambassadors and other public ministers, and for determining their eligibility and functions Justia Law. This means that the President, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID), holds the formal right to direct or give orders to the Russian ambassador abroad.

When a Russian ambassador is stationed in another country, they are accredited by the President and operate under the authority of the Russian government. In practice, the Russian Foreign Ministry — the executive arm of the President’s office — issues instructions, manages the ambassador’s duties, and coordinates with the host country’s government. This is consistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which governs the conduct of diplomatic missions and the authority of their head.

In the other direction — when a foreign ambassador is in Russia — the President of the host country (e.g., the U.S. President) is the one who has the constitutional right to receive and direct them. In the U.S., this power is exercised through the State Department, which is part of the Executive branch Justia Law.

Summary:

• In Russia: The President of Russia, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has the right to give orders to the Russian ambassador abroad.

• In the U.S.: The President of the United States, via the State Department, has the right to give orders to the U.S. ambassador in Russia.