The Kremlin has confirmed that Russia plans to appoint a new ambassador to the United States, quelling speculation about a potential downgrade in relations with Washington as the tenure of current ambassador Anatoly Antonov comes to an end.
This announcement was reported by Reuters on Monday.
Anatoly Antonov, a seasoned diplomat aged 69, has been leading the Russian embassy in Washington since 2017.
Born in Siberia, he indicated in July that his time in office was nearing its conclusion. His departure has raised questions about the future of US-Russia relations, which have been strained in recent years.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, stated that there is no scheduled meeting for President Vladimir Putin to receive Antonov. However, he noted that the ambassador is still able to provide daily reports to the president.
When asked whether Antonov’s departure could signal a reduction in relations with the U.S., Peskov responded affirmatively, stating that a new ambassador will be appointed in due course.
US-Russia relations have experienced significant turbulence, especially following events such as the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Diplomatic ties have been further strained by mutual sanctions, accusations of interference in domestic affairs, and disagreements over security issues.
