President Barack Obama nominated political science professor Michael McFaul to the Russian ambassadorship, according to a White House press release. McFaul, a fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, is currently serving as the president’s top advisor on Russia at the National Security Council.

McFaul is credited with playing a key part in the negotiation of New START to cut nuclear arsenals. If the nomination is confirmed, he will succeed current ambassador John Beyrle, who has held the post since 2008.