Russia’s envoy to US could be back in Moscow by end of July


Russia will recall its Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak by the end of July, Director of the Institute for U.S. and Canadian Studies Sergey Rogov said Thursday.

"I saw [Kislyak] last Saturday in Washington, he is coming back to Moscow in the end of July. This is due to the usual staff rotation. [Russian] parliament has already discussed the candidacy of a new ambassador to the U.S.," Rogov said.

The expert described U.S.'s treatment of Kislyak as "utterly unprecedented boorishness," adding that the Russian envoy thinks he is viewed as "the most radioactive person in Washington."

Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov did not provide any details to journalists Thursday, whether a new Russian ambassador to the U.S. will be appointed, indicating that these issues are kept secret until an official announcement.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Monday that the issue of possible rotation of Russian envoy to the U.S. is being resolved in a planned manner.

In May, Russian parliamentary committee for foreign affairs supported the candidacy of Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoly Antonov for the post of Russia's ambassador to the U.S.

"The committee agreed to appoint Antonov as Russia's ambassador to the United States, who was nominated by the Russian Foreign Ministry," a source close to the situation told Russian news agency TASS.

Kislyak has been constantly mentioned during the scandal regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign meddling with Russia. A number of senior Trump campaign officials have allegedly met with Kislyak to discuss various matters during the election process.