Antonov, who has been appointed to the role by Russian President Vladimir Putin and replaces long-time ambassador Sergey Kislyak, takes over at a time when tensions are at an all-time high over Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election.
Throughout more than 30 years working in Russia's Foreign Ministry, Antonov has HYPERLINK "https://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN1B11D0-OCATP" earned a reputation as a "bull-terrier" and military-style man.
Here's what you need to know about the man that HYPERLINK "https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russia-confirms-new-bull-terrier-ambassador-to-washington-58026" many expect to take a tough stance on Russia's relations with the West:
Antonov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1983 and has worked in Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 30 yearsOver the years, Antonov has moved to higher and higher posts representing Soviet and later Russian foreign interests. He became director of the Department of Security and Disarmament in 2004.Between 2011 and 2016, Antonov served as Russia's deputy defense minister — a period during which Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.As a result, Antonov was one of the Russian officials sanctioned for his role in overseeing the deployment of Russian troops into Ukrainian territory.In 2016, Antonov was promoted to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. A long-time Kremlin insider, he was at one point considered for the role of Russia's representative to the UN.Ultimately, however, Putin appointed Antonov for the role of Russia's ambassador to the US— a move that was voted in by the Federal Assembly back in May.Antonov replaces Sergey Kislyak, who has served as Russia's ambassador to the US since 2008.He takes over as ambassador during a particularly tense time between the two countries — sanctions, the war in Syria, and allegations of Russian hacking of the 2016 presidential election all put Kislyak at the center of repeated media firestorms in the US.Many in Russia expect Antonov to differ from his predecessor by taking a much more aggressive position in US-Russian relations. One source who has worked with Antonov before referred to him as a "bull terrier.""Russia and the United States are simply doomed to positive cooperation," Antonov was once quoted by Russia's TASS News. Veronika Bondarenko
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