Mikhail Vanin

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Mikhail Valentinovich Vanin, born 1 August 1960 in Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, is a Russian diplomat and former head of the State Customs Committee. He graduated from Moscow State University’s Law Faculty in 1982 and began his career in the customs service, holding various roles such as inspector, head of the anti-smuggling department, and deputy head of the Sheremetyevo Customs. From 1990 to 1991 he was the chief legal adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR. Between 1992 and 1999 he led the department for combating smuggling and customs violations, and in 1999 he became chairman of the State Customs Committee (a position he held until 2004).

In 2004 Vanin became Russia’s ambassador to Slovenia, serving until 2009. He then was the General Director of the Foreign Ministry from 2009 to 2012. He was the ambassador to Denmark from 2012 to 2018. On 28 September 2021 he was appointed ambassador to Latvia, a post he held until leaving on 31 March 2023 amid diplomatic tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Vanin was awarded the Order of Friendship in 2016.