New Russian Ambassador May Not Be Appointed Until After U.S. Elections

There have been considerable news reports in the Russian press since it was suddenly announced on Oct. 5 that Ambassador to the U.S. Anatoly Antonov had finished his term and returned to Moscow. In comments to the press, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that it was not a move meant to downgrade the U.S.-Russia relationship. He said the appointment of a new ambassador would be made in due time. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that there would soon be a presidential proclamation with regard to the matter. Presidential Advisor Yuri Ushakov said that a new ambassador would not be named until after the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential elections.