Putin’s US ambassador is a ‘loyal bull terrier’

Vladimir Putin has named Anatoly Antonov, a tough-talking former deputy defence minister, as Russian ambassador to the United States.

Mr Antonov will replace Sergey Kislyak, who became toxic over his meetings with top members of Donald Trump’s team in the wake of Russian election interference.

Mr Antonov was deputy defence minister from 2011 to 2016. Alexander Golts, a defence analyst, said he was a loyal but aggressive “bull terrier”.