MOSCOW, November 9. /TASS/. The only candidate to assume the post of Russia's new ambassador to the United States is now pending an official commission’s paperwork, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.

She stated that that the issue "was not about the candidacies, but a single candidate."

"We have already launched the official processes, we have the candidate, and this person currently undergoes through all of the formal stages of [the required] registration," she added.

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 and the diplomat returned to Moscow the next day.

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov’s earlier statements, the new envoy’s candidacy would 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.

Trump’s US presidential election win

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump defeated Harris, the Democratic Party’s contender, in the November 5 election. The Republican Party also took control of the Senate and is also expected to gain a majority in the House of Representatives. Trump’s inauguration is set for January 20, 2025.

Current President Joe Biden was supposed to be the Democratic Party’s candidate but after his failed performance at a televised debate with Trump, calls among Democrats intensified for Biden to withdraw from the race.

On July 21, he announced his decision to drop out and support Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for US president. Trump is the Republican presidential candidate in the election.