Russian Deputy FM Anatoly Ivanovich Antonov (Photo: Sputnik)

Antonov, 62, is a former Deputy Defense Minister who was appointed Deputy Foreign Minister on December 28 last year. He is seen as a hardliner and no-nonsense negotiator on many issues, including weapons treaties with the US. Sergei Kislyak, ambassador to the US for 9 years, ended his tenure last month. He is a key person in investigations by special prosecutors and Congressional committees into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

The US Embassy in Moscow said Monday they have been asked to reduce their diplomatic presence in Moscow from 755 to 455 people, to equal the size of the Russian diplomatic staff in the US.