Former Russian ambassador to the United States Antonov appointed advisor to VTB CEO

Former Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has become an advisor to the head of VTB Bank Andrei Kostin. This was reported by the press service of the organization on December 19.

"In his new post, Anatoly Antonov will focus on promoting further development of VTB's international contacts with friendly countries and coordinating the Bank's participation in the work of expert councils and advisory bodies on relations with BRICS countries," VTB said in a statement.

The credit organization added that Antonov's experience is especially important for VTB in the context of the bank's active interaction with partners from the Global South, who are interested in implementing projects in Russia.

Anatoly Antonov was appointed Russia's ambassador to the United States in August 2017. On October 5, 2024, he completed his work as Russian ambassador to the United States and left American territory. On October 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially relieved Antonov of his duties as ambassador to Washington and Russia's permanent observer to the United Nations.

On October 7, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would appoint its ambassador to the United States in a timely manner. He noted that there was no question of any downgrade of the Russian diplomatic mission in the United States. On December 11, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Russia had sent a request for preliminary approval of the candidacy of its new ambassador to the United States. The diplomat did not give other details.

Antonov served as Russia's deputy foreign minister from 2016 to 2017. From 2011 to 2016, he was Russia's deputy defense minister.