MOSCOW. Aug 14 (Interfax) - The presidents of the United States and Russia, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, discussed the pending resignation of U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman in their phone call on July 31, and Putin noted Huntsman's constructive work during "one of the most difficult periods" in bilateral relations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
"It's true that President Trump has told Putin about the pending resignation of Ambassador Huntsman. It is also true Putin said that Huntsman was serving as the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission to Russia during one of the most difficult periods in the history of our bilateral relations. Nonetheless, the ambassador was trying to create something positive during the current stage of Russia-U.S. relations," Peskov said.
He added that Trump told Putin that a new ambassador would be nominated shortly.
It was reported on August 6 that Huntsman had tendered his resignation to Trump. His mission is due to end on October 3.