Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Valeriu Kuzimin as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Moldova. Kuzimin, 54, has been working for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1975. He was the deputy director of the Department for Near East and North Africa (1994 -1998), Ambassador of Russia to Sudan (1999 -2003), head of the Department for Relations with the subjects of the Federation, Parliament and Social-Political Organisations (2003 -2007). The diplomat speaks Arabic, English and French. Kuzimin will replace Nicolai Reabov, who was recalled in May 2007.