Former Gov. Jon Huntsman's (pictured) unanimous approval gives President Donald Trump a permanent envoy in Moscow at a consequential moment for U.S.-Russia relations. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo Senate confirms Huntsman to be ambassador to Russia

The Senate on Thursday confirmed former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to be U.S. ambassador to Russia.

Huntsman's unanimous approval gives President Donald Trump a permanent envoy in Moscow at a consequential moment for U.S.-Russia relations, with the White House facing multiple investigations into potential Russian interference in the 2016 election.


Huntsman, a former GOP presidential candidate, testified earlier this month before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that there is "no question" that Moscow meddled in the election — a perspective that differs from Trump, who has called Russian disruption a "hoax."

In addition to Huntsman, who previously served as ambassador to China and Singapore, the Senate also confirmed John Bass as the new U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan and Wess Mitchell as the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, a critical post for U.S.-Russian diplomatic efforts.