President Vladimir Putin signed a decree relieving Anatoly Antonov from his post as Moscow’s ambassador to the United States amid historic lows in U.S.-Russia relations. Antonov, 69, had headed the Russian diplomatic mission in Washington since 2017 and returned to Russia over the weekend. A staunch supporter of Putin and the invasion of Ukraine, Antonov said in July 2024 that his term was nearing an end.
The Kremlin stated that his replacement would be named “in a timely manner” when asked whether his return indicated a downgrade in Russian-U.S. ties. Antonov, a former deputy foreign and defense minister, worked with American officials holding high-level talks on reducing nuclear stockpiles. He is under EU and U.K. sanctions due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. diplomatic presence in Russia had been reduced after a decree by Putin limiting the hiring of local staff, with Russians seeking U.S. visas often obliged to go to embassies in third countries. The Moscow Times faces challenges as Russia’s authorities silence independent journalism. Support from readers is crucial to defend open, independent journalism in the face of repression.