U.S. Senate Confirms Julie Stufft as Ambassador to Kazakhstan

On October 7, the United States Senate confirmed Julie Stufft as the new U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, approving her nomination by a vote of 51 to 47, and marking the first new U.S. envoy to Astana under President Donald Trump. A career diplomat and Senior Foreign Service Minister-Counselor, Stufft previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services. During her July 2025 confirmation hearing, Stufft outlined her priorities, citing the security of U.S. citizens, energy cooperation, and critical minerals partnerships as top priorities. “If confirmed, my primary task will be to ensure the safety of all Americans in Kazakhstan, including my embassy and consulate staff,” she said. Stufft emphasized Kazakhstan’s strategic importance as a key U.S. partner in Central Asia, highlighting opportunities for expanded economic cooperation, particularly in energy and critical minerals. “Today, we stand on the threshold of a new era of trade and energy cooperation with Kazakhstan, a world leader in uranium production, a major oil exporter, and a holder of vast reserves of critical minerals,” she said. Stufft added that she intends to collaborate with the Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank, and the private sector to deepen bilateral economic ties and promote U.S. prosperity. Stufft’s confirmation received some bipartisan support, with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Steve Daines (R-MT) praising her professional experience and diplomatic capabilities. She succeeds Daniel Rosenblum, who retired in December 2024 after 28 years of service in the State Department. Her nomination was formally submitted by the White House and approved by President Donald Trump in the summer of 2025. Stufft is a career diplomat and a member of the Senior Foreign Service. Before her appointment, she served at the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Her previous overseas postings include assignments in Russia, Poland, Ethiopia, Moldova, and Djibouti. She also served on the National Security Council, coordinating efforts to protect Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stufft holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University and Duke University. She speaks Russian, Romanian, French, and Polish. In 2023, she received the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service and has earned seven State Department awards over her career. “We must actively oppose violence against women and girls,” she said, underscoring her commitment to gender equality as part of U.S. foreign policy. Stufft is a fellow of the International Women's Forum (2021-2022) and participated in the MIT Center for International Studies’ Seminar XXI program (2014-2015).