Embassy of the United States

"Reflections of a U.S. Ambassador."
An Op-Ed by William J. Burns published in The Moscow Times on May 13, 2008.

Ambassador Burns interviewed by Ekho Moskvy.
Ambassador Burns gave an interview on Ekho Moskvy Radio with Aleksey Venediktov May 6, 2008.

U.S., Russia Sign the "123 Agreement"
On May 6, Ambassador William Burns and Rosatom Director General Sergey Kiriyenko signed the U.S.-Russia Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (also known as a 123 Agreement).

U.S. Embassy Contest Announcement.
We invite you to submit an essay on the topic "U.S. Elections and Challenges for the Future." Essays will be judged by a panel of American and Russian media specialists, academics, diplomats, and journalists.

Annual Special 301 report released by USTR.
"Special 301" annual review by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) examines in detail the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights protection in 87 countries

America savors its music during Jazz Appreciation Month
Each April, the United States celebrates Jazz Appreciation Month, an opportunity to savor a major American contribution to world culture. Initiated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History, JAM focuses public attention on the music, and on the many talented composers, musicians and other contributors to the sound.

Noted jazz saxophonist Eric Marienthal and his band at Spaso House.
Marienthal and his Super Stars Band — who between them share 2 Grammy awards and 14 Grammy nominations — performed at Spaso January 24 as part of a tour of Russia and the Ukraine. The audience of 275 consisted of Russian professionals who have graduated from U.S. universities.

Vladimir Spivakov and Moscow Virtuosi perform at Spaso House.
Internationally known conductor/violinist Vladimir Spivakov and his Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra performed at Spaso House on December 12. The concert featured performances by talented scholarship recipients of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation.

Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas Increased on January 1, 2008.
Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa have increased from $100 to $131.

Public Announcement — Worldwide Caution (October 16, 2007)
This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated April 10, 2007 and expires on April 9, 2008.

Voting Information for the 2008 Primary and General Elections
This is a reminder that in just three months we will be entering the U. S. presidential and state primary season. Five primaries are currently slated for January, another 20 are scheduled for February, and the rest take place from early March through early October.

You're Ready to Travel - Is your Passport?
Avoid last minute delays that could ruin your vacation. Check your passports now and renew expiring passports at the American Citizen Services unit (ACS) of the American Embassy before they become a problem.