‘I am optimistic,’ the diplomat told Sputnik news agency before leaving Moscow, where he was called for consultations three months ago due to the deterioration of relations between the two countries.

Antonov said that after the June 16 meeting between the two heads of State in Switzerland, he relies on ‘constructive work with US colleagues to build a relationship based on equality and pragmatism.’

Similarly, US Ambassador John Sullivan is expected to return to Moscow.

The Russian representative in Washington traveled to Moscow on March 20 following the downgrade of bilateral ties to levels as low as those existing during the Cold War, according to experts.

The return of the Russian and US ambassadors to their respective posts is one of few concrete agreements from the Geneva talks, but it will serve to restore communication between the two countries through diplomatic channels.

jg/iff/mem/mml/gdc