Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov indicated that a wave of anti-Russian sentiment took hold in the United States ahead of May 9, the day commemorating the Allied victory in World War II. He claimed that officials in Washington intensified the atmosphere of hostility and that messages from U.S. authorities amplified the surrounding hysteria. The remarks were reported by TASS.
Antonov noted that the heightened anti-Russian mood appeared just before the celebration of the Great Victory Day. He suggested that authorities were not only resisting efforts to erase elements associated with Russia but were actively inflating the public display of anti-Russian rhetoric in various venues and channels.
According to him, the atmosphere in the United States around the World War II commemoration had become more charged in recent days, with rhetoric he described as hostile toward Russia intensifying.
The diplomat also urged U.S. officials to cease praising or supporting Nazi-linked narratives and to refrain from actions that could be interpreted as legitimizing extremist ideologies. His comments were conveyed as part of a broader critique of how Russian history and symbols are treated in American public discourse (TASS).
Insights were shared about Russia’s participation in the Victory Parade in Moscow, where leaders and diplomats from multiple states typically attend. Antonov referenced conversations with state figures from various countries as part of ongoing diplomatic exchanges, noting that several regional leaders had been involved in related events in different capacities. He indicated that visits from officials in the region would continue, with expectations of further participation from Central Asian and neighboring nations. He also referenced the absence of a broad slate of world leaders at the Moscow ceremony held the previous year, contrasting it with earlier years when the program drew a wider international presence (TASS).
In summarizing the situation, Antonov framed the discourse around Russia-U.S. relations as a mix of public messaging and diplomatic maneuvering. He emphasized a call for more measured rhetoric and a focus on constructive dialogue, stressing that both sides could benefit from channels that reduce misinterpretation during times of commemoration and public remembrance (TASS).