Anatoly Antonov
The main candidate for the post of Russian Ambassador to the USA is a Deputy foreign Minister Anatoly Antonov. On Monday, February 6, reports the newspaper “Kommersant”, citing sources in the Russian government agencies.
Antonov is considered a hardliner toward the West. To appoint him head of the diplomatic mission in the United States, the Russian government decided in the early autumn of 2016, the newspaper notes. In Moscow, then, came from the fact that the White house will be Democrat Hillary Clinton and the relationship will be rather tense. Despite the victory of Republican Donald trump, the Antonov “is still the best chance to hold the prestigious post of Ambassador in Washington,” the newspaper said.
Thus, according to “Kommersant” with reference to one of the interlocutors on this post discusses the other candidates.
At the same time, a source close to the Antonov denied information about his possible appointment as Ambassador. It is also noted that the U.S. leader has not decided on the candidacy of the head of the US diplomatic mission in Russia.
On December 28 President Vladimir Putin appointed Antonov, who was at that time Deputy Minister of defense of Russia, the Deputy foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov.
Antonov is a career diplomat who graduated from MGIMO, and more than 30 years of experience in the foreign Ministry in various positions, predominantly in the Central office. From 2004 to 2011 he headed the Department for security Affairs and disarmament of the Russian foreign Ministry. From February 2011 to December 2016 was the Deputy Minister of defence. In the military he was in charge of international cooperation.
Since 2008, the Russian Embassy in the United States, headed by Sergey Kislyak.