Russian State Duma backed appointment of new Russian ambassador to Ukraine

The State Duma Committee on International Affairs at its closed session has supported the appointment of Mikhail Babich to the post of the Russian ambassador to Ukraine, TASS has reported citing a source in the Committee, Ukrinform's own Russian correspondent noted. "The Committee has supported the candidacy of Babich", said the source.

Earlier, the fact of hearings on the nomination of Babich by the Committee was confirmed to reporters by head of the Committee Alexei Pushkov. In turn, Babich has declined to answer journalists' questions by saying that "soon everyone will know." Journalists in the State Duma continue to hear the official statements on the matter.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to relieve Mikhail Zurabov of his duties of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

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