Mikhail Vanin

 Mikhail Valentinovich Vanin (Russian: Михаил Валентинович Ванин; born on 1 August 1960), is a Russian politician who had recently served as ambassador to Latvia from 2021 to 2023.

He has also served as the ambassador to Denmark from 2012 to 2018, and as the ambassador to Slovenia from 2004 to 2009.

Vanin had been the Chairman of the State Customs Committee from 1999 to 2004.

He was awarded the Active State Advisor to the Customs Service in 2002.

Biography
Vanin was born on 1 August 1960.

In 1982, he graduated from the Faculty of Law of Moscow State University and entered the service in the customs authorities.

Since 1982, he had been an inspector, then senior inspector, leading inspector, chief inspector, deputy head, head of the anti-smuggling department, deputy head of the Sheremetyevo Customs.

From 1990 to 1991, he was the chief legal adviser of the Contractual and Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR.

From 1992 to 1999, he was the head of the Department for Combating Smuggling and Violations of Customs Rules of the State Customs Committee of Russia (since 1995 - Department for Combating Customs Offenses).

From November 1998 to April 1999, he was the representative of the State Customs Committee of Russia in Kyrgyzstan.

From April to May 1999, he was the head of the Customs Inspectorate of the State Customs Committee of Russia.

On 27 May 1999, Vanin became the chairman of the State Customs Committee of Russia.

He was the chairman of: the Customs Committee of the Union of Belarus and Russia, the Council of Heads of Customs Services of the CIS Member States, the Council of Heads of Customs Services of the Countries - Members of the Eurasian Economic Community.

On 10 December 2004, Vanin became the Ambassador of Russia to Slovenia.

On 23 September 2009 he became the General Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On 6 April 2012, he became the Ambassador of Russia to Denmark.

On 28 September 2021, Vanin became the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia.

He left office on 31 March 2023.

Awards
He was awarded the Order of Friendship in 2016.