US Ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle is expected to be leaving to Moscow this summer. Photo by Kameliya Atanasova (Sofia Photo Agency)
John Beyrle, the US ambassador to Bulgaria, is expected to head the US Embassy in Moscow, Reuters reported, citing unnamed officials.
Beyrle is likely to replace US Ambassador to Russia William Burns, who has been proposed to take over as undersecretary of state for political affairs after the retirement of Nicholas Burns.
"This is a very bittersweet time for us because Nick Burns had decided that it is time for him to retire," Rice told reporters as she announced his departure. "He has decided that it's the right moment to go back to family concerns."
"He's going to continue to sprint until he leaves in March," Rice said of Burns.
The US Embassy in Sofia has declined to comment the report, but well-informed diplomatic sources of Trud daily have confirmed John Beyrle is about to embark on a diplomatic career in Moscow.
"It is very likely that this happens," the sources said.
Beyrle's term in Sofia expires in May this year.
The Bulgarian capital welcomed John Ross Beyrle at the end of August 2005, when he succeeded James Pardew. The ambassador, well known by the people in the country for his excellent Bulgarian language skills, had already served in Bulgaria in the 1980s.