In a significant development, Anatoly Ivanovich Antonov, the Russian ambassador to the United States, is scheduled to return to Moscow today, as reported by Russian state media. This decision comes amid a period of heightened tensions in U.S.-Russia relations, the most strained they’ve been in decades.
According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry cited by the TASS news agency, “The tenure of Ambassador Antonov in Washington is coming to an end, and he will be returning to Moscow.”
At 69, Antonov is a seasoned diplomat with roots in Siberia. Despite his reputation as a hawk, he has maintained an openness to compromise during his tenure as Russia’s chief diplomatic representative in Washington, a role he has held since 2017. He had previously indicated in July that his time in this position was drawing to a close.
TASS has not disclosed who will take over Antonov’s role, though he is recognized for his assertive military negotiation style and has consistently backed President Vladimir Putin’s stance in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
In a recent Telegram post regarding Russian forces’ occupation of the mining town of Vuhledar in Ukraine, Antonov stated, “For us, it is clear that the enemy will be defeated; victory belongs to Russia.”
Antonov was serving as Deputy Defense Minister during Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and since his appointment as ambassador by Putin, he has been targeted by European sanctions.
Before taking on his ambassadorial role in Washington, Antonov made a name for himself as a sharp arms control negotiator, leading Russian delegations in various international discussions on strategic arms.
In an August interview with TASS, he expressed Russia’s willingness to explore the possibility of a new arms limitation agreement with the United States.
