US Ambassador to Russia Huntsman resigns, desires to return home - report

US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman has resigned from his post and desires to come back home in Utah, according to media reports. Huntsman sent his resignation letter to the US President on Tuesday morning and is planning to move back to the Beehive State in October.

He said in his resignation letter, "American citizenship is a privilege and I believe the most basic responsibility in return is service to the country. To that end, I am honored by the trust you have placed in me as the United States ambassador to Russia during this historically difficult period in bilateral relations."

He was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation in October 2017. as the ambassador in 2017 and has served roughly two years in the diplomatic post, during a time when the US experienced turbulent relations with Russia.

Huntsman began his career in public service as a staff assistant to President Ronald Reagan. He has served each of the five U.S. presidents since then in critical roles around the world, including as the Ambassador to Singapore, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia, U.S. Trade Ambassador, and most recently, U.S. Ambassador to China.

He was elected as the governor of Utah twice once in 2004 with 58% of the vote and again in 2008 with 77.7% of the vote. President Barack Obama nominated Jon Huntsman to serve as the United States Ambassador to China on May 16, 2009, noting his experience in the region and proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. On August 7, 2009, the Senate unanimously confirmed Huntsman[47] and he formally resigned as governor of Utah and was sworn in as ambassador to China on August 11, 2009.

He was also a candidate for the Presidency in 2012 where he ultimately placed third in the New Hampshire primary before bowing out.

Jon Huntsman received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1987 and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including eleven Honorary Doctorates from various universities and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (2008).