Russia urges US to quickly approve new ambassador

ISTANBUL

Russia’s deputy premier said on Monday that Moscow would like the US to swiftly issue an agreement on the appointment of its new ambassador to the country.

“We would, of course, like a decision on this matter to be made as soon as possible, because, in our opinion, the normal functioning of foreign missions headed by ambassadors is a prerequisite for any dialogue,” Sergey Ryabkov told reporters in Moscow.

“When our ambassador in Washington is absent due to the failure of the American side to issue him an agreement, we consider this situation undesirable,” Ryabkov added.

Ryabkov urged his US counterparts to address the issue and resolve it as soon as possible, adding: “Although, once again, today’s situation is not extraordinary in terms of the time during which we are waiting for a decision.”

On Oct. 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin relieved Anatoly Antonov of his role as ambassador to the US without naming a replacement. Antonov, 69, had held the position since 2017.

Antonov’s departure came at a time when relations between the two countries are at their lowest point in recent years.