Top U.S. diplomat for European, Eurasian affairs resigns

The U.S. Department of State confirmed Tuesday that A. Wess Mitchell, the U.S. top diplomat in charge of European and Eurasian affairs, would leave office in mid-February.

Mitchell would step down as the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs, and his departure is effective on Feb. 15, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino tweeted Tuesday.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also confirmed Mitchell's departure via his Twitter account, saying he did "an outstanding job as Assistant Secretary."

Mitchell cited personal reasons in the resignation letter he submitted to Pompeo on Jan. 4, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his young family. Mitchell told U.S. media that his resignation was not a protest against the Trump administration's policies.

Mitchell's departure creates another vacancy in the ranks of senior officials at the Trump administration. U.S. media reported that six of the 24 positions are awaiting Senate confirmation currently.

Mitchell took office as Assistant Secretary of State in October 2017, taking charge of diplomatic relations with 50 countries in Europe and Eurasia, and with important organizations such as NATO and the European Union. His resignation came amid an uneasy period of relations between the United States and some major European countries.