Born on December 3, 1953

Graduated with honours from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO - University) and joined diplomatic service in 1976.

1992 Head of UK/Ireland Division, 2nd European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1993 Deputy Director, 2nd European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1995 Deputy Head, Russian delegation to the OSCE, Vienna, Austria

1996 Deputy High Representative for Bosnia Peace Implementation, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

1997 Director, 3rd European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1997 - 2000 Russian Special Representative for Cyprus

1999 Director, European Cooperation Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2000 - 2002 Russian Special Representative for the Balkans

2002 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

2005 Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European Communities, Brussels, Belgium

Since 2010 Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the European Union, Brussels, Belgium

Conducted analytical research work on European security, OSCE, Russia-EU and Russia-NATO relations, Mediterranean, Balkans, problems of Cyprus and Northern Ireland, UN peace-keeping operations.