He stated this in an interview with The National Interest.
According to the Russian diplomat, a solution to the conflict in Donbass can only be found through diplomatic means.
“Right now, the United States can influence the Ukrainian government, encouraging it to engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of Donetsk and Lugansk, withdraw heavy weapons from the contact line and take concrete and tangible measures regarding autonomy status,” Antonov said.
State Department adviser Derek Scholle previously spoke about the idea of US participation in the Normandy format. He said that he did not believe that Washington's participation in negotiations to resolve the conflict in Donbass would help resolve the issue.