Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko Russia’s permanent envoy to NATO, the Kremlin said on its website.

A diplomatic source said Grushkov “will arrive [in Brussels] in November.”

Rumors about Grushkov’s possible appointment to the post began circulating this spring. In May and July, his candidacy was approved by relevant committees of both chambers of the Russian parliament.

Grushko, 57, graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in 1977 and has worked in the Russian Foreign Ministry for 35 years. Grushko served as a deputy foreign minister since 2005 and was in charge of European security and relations with NATO.

He is fluent in English and Dutch.