Russia – USA: Ambassador Antonov’s Resignation Does Not Mean Downgrade in Diplomatic Relations

US leaders question the reasons behind the Kremlin's sudden decision

Anatolij Antonov

After seven years of impeccable service at the head of the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation in Washington, DC, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov (pictured) returned home. Antonov has been in charge of the Russian Embassy in the United States during the most difficult period in the history of Moscow-Washington relations, especially in the last two years since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which have been characterized by a tightening of almost unprecedented bilateral ties. Antonov’s resignation was unexpectedly announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry over the weekend, and Antonov left the USA shortly thereafter.

“Russia will appoint its new ambassador to the United States in due course,” said at a news conference Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to whom “Ambassador Antonov’s resignation does not mean that diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington will be downgraded.”

According to the respected Russian newspaper Vedomosti, which gathered leaked information from the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, Antonov will be replaced by former ambassador to Canada Alexander Darchiev,

Ambassador Antonov, 69, arrived in the US capital on August 31, 2017. The Russian diplomat graduated from MGIMO in 1978. From 2004 to 2011, he headed the Department for Security and Disarmament Affairs of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2011 to 2016, Antonov was Russia’s deputy defense minister in charge of relations with foreign countries. In December 2016, he was appointed Russia’s deputy foreign minister, and eight months later he took up the post of ambassador to the USA.