Anatoly Antonov, former Russia Deputy Foreign Minister, has been appointed to serve as the country’s ambassador to the United States, the Kremlin said on Monday.

The appointment was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Antonov, 62, will replace Sergei Kislyak, who retired in July after serving as Russian envoy to the U.S. for nine years.

Kislyak has been at the centre of investigations in the U.S, following the alleged Russia interference in the 2016 general elections in the United State.

Antonov has been a top Russian diplomat since 1978. He was appointed the deputy foreign minister in charge of military and political security in December 2016 after serving as the country’s deputy defence minister for six years.