Putin made a decision: the Russian ambassador to America was dismissed

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, by decree dismissed the previous ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, from that position, as well as the position of permanent observer of the Russian Federation at the Organization of American States.

As Interfax reported, the presidential decree of October 10 was published on the official internet portal of legal information.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last Saturday that Antonov had completed his service in Washington. The diplomat was appointed as the Russian ambassador to the USA in August 2017.

On October 7, the aide of the Russian president, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters that work is currently underway to select a new Russian ambassador to the US, who would replace Antonov.

– The ambassador worked for us for a long time. He worked in really difficult conditions, when relations (with the USA) were practically at zero. He worked without constant contact with representatives of the American administration. The work was difficult – said Ušakov.

He added that Antonov “successfully performed his mission”, and that “now it is time for another person to be appointed to this important position”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the return of Antonov does not mean the reduction of the Russian diplomatic mission in the US.