MOSCOW -- Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has been dismissed from his role, according to a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Antonov, who was appointed as Russia's Ambassador to the United States by the Russian president in August 2017, held the position for seven years.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the choice of a new ambassador will not depend on the upcoming US presidential elections, adding that a new ambassador would be appointed promptly, according to local media.