Washington: Russia’s envoy to the United States, Anatoly Ivanovich Antonov, is concluding his term at a time of historic tensions between Moscow and Washington, according to state media reports. The seasoned diplomat, known for his hard-line stance, is set to return to Moscow, with his departure marking the end of a turbulent chapter in U.S.-Russia relations.
“Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Ivanovich Antonov is concluding his Washington assignment and heading to Moscow,” state news agency TASS quoted the Russian foreign ministry as confirming.
Antonov, 69, a Siberian-born career diplomat, has served as Russia’s ambassador in Washington since 2017. Known for his hawkish views, he has also earned a reputation for his ability to strike compromises when needed. In July, Antonov publicly announced that his assignment in the U.S. was nearing its conclusion.
As of yet, no successor has been named to fill the high-profile position. Antonov, often described as a military-style negotiator, has been a staunch defender of President Vladimir Putin’s policies, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Antonov expressed his firm support for Russia’s military efforts, saying, “It is obvious to us that the enemy will be defeated and victory will be Russia’s,” in reference to Russian forces seizing Ukraine’s mining town of Vuhledar.
Russia has consistently referred to its actions in Ukraine as a “special military operation,” accusing the United States and NATO of engaging in a hybrid war against Moscow through their support for Kyiv. Ukraine and its Western allies view Russia’s actions as an unprovoked invasion aimed at territorial expansion.
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The war in Ukraine has driven relations between Russia and the West to their lowest point since the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, when the U.S. and Soviet Union stood on the brink of nuclear conflict.
Antonov has long been a key player in Russia’s foreign policy apparatus. As deputy defense minister during Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, he was a prominent figure and was later placed under European sanctions when Putin appointed him as ambassador to the U.S.
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A graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1978, Antonov has spent decades navigating the complexities of international diplomacy. Prior to his Washington post, he was recognized as a skilled arms control negotiator, leading Russian delegations in various strategic weapons discussions.
In a recent interview with TASS, Antonov reiterated Russia’s willingness to negotiate with Washington on arms control. “My tactics for conducting negotiations are very simple: you and I need to take a piece of paper and write down what you want and what I want,” he said. “Take the two sheets of paper and try to find something in common there, even if it is minimal, but start from this when solving problems.”
