ASTANA, November 7. /TASS/. The candidacy of Russia’s new envoy to the United States is currently undergoing the usual paperwork procedure, which will be completed soon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"The new envoy of Russia to the United States - his candidacy is undergoing the usual paperwork procedure. The procedure will soon be completed. We will inform you about it," the minister said.

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Anatoly Antonov from the office of Ambassador of Russia to the United States. On October 5, the US embassy told TASS that Antonov was wrapping up his mission in Washington. The diplomat returned to Moscow the next day.

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the new envoy’s candidacy will not depend on who wins the US presidential election. He underscored that the level of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington has not been affected by the completion of Antonov’s mission.

Voting in the US presidential election ended early on November 6, Moscow time. While official results have yet to be announced, Fox News has already projected that Trump is leading the election with 295 Electoral College votes, out of the 270 needed to win. Trump himself has already declared himself the 47th President of the United States. US House Speaker Mike Johnson has congratulated ‘President-elect’ Trump, as have foreign leaders.