Aggressive however: in the United States met the new Ambassador of Russia
With the appointment of Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s new Ambassador to the United States in Washington will begin a new, more aggressive head of the Russian diplomacy, I think American journalists and political observers.
That the new Russian Ambassador to the United States will be the 62-year-old Anatoly Antonov, has been known for several months. Comments on this subject appear in the American press for a long time and almost invariably contain the word “however” that is a hardliner. Flashes the word “Terrier”, borrowed from Russian journalists.
Discussing the new appointment of Anatoly Antonov, the American media constantly draw Parallels with its predecessor.
The July article Ali Watkins on the liberal website Politico entitled “Russian diplomacy in Washington will become tougher.” The subtitle reads “the Famous however, Anatoly Antonov will take the place of Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, who adhered to the more lenient approach.”
According to Watkins, from left Kislyak, who used soft power “in Washington is about to begin a new and, most likely, the more aggressive the head of the Russian diplomacy.”
“Expect arrival of the Antonov will bring a noticeable change in the diplomatic world of Washington, where Kislyak know how helpful regular at ambassadorial receptions and an experienced political figure, who had official access to the government of the United States” — continues American journalist.
Indeed: according to the logbook of visitors to the White house, under Obama, the Russian Ambassador was there at least 22 times.
“The Kremlin reasoner”
On the other hand, several media outlets noted that Kislyak had nothing to do with American leadership in this regard, as the ambassadors of many other countries, and was in isolation, especially in the last year, when contacts with him became fatal for political careers.
I write, however, that the Washington officials began to shun Kislyak earlier in retaliation for the maltreatment of the US Ambassador in Moscow Michael McFaul and other U.S. diplomats.
“This is a continuation of the trend that we see across Europe, where Moscow is sending diplomats hardliners almost Soviet spill,” says Antonova appointment of Heather Conley, head of the European and Eurasian programs at the Washington Center for strategic and international studies.
“If Kislyak used soft power (he was known for elegant banquets, calls for improved U.S.-Russian relations and courteous manners, though not compliant), Antonov ahead of the reputation of the recalcitrant Kremlin arguer,” writes Watkins.
In the headlines many comments on the appointment of Antonov mentioned the fact that in 2015 it was imposed by the European and canadian sanctions over its role in Crimea’s annexation.
“He was a very ardent defender of all of this, and is extremely frenzied in his attacks, — says former US Ambassador Alexander Vershbow. — It can be expected a lot of talk about how NATO is surrounding Russia, but he not only says it — he believes it!”.