"A group of Senators will come to Moscow. We welcome this decision. We think it will give an impulse to renewed parliamentary ties between the two countries… I hope the visit will be returned," he told reporters in Washington, DC.
On Tuesday, the Russian Embassy to the United States confirmed the preparations for a visit by US senators to Moscow and has expressed hope that the visit would benefit US-Russia relations.
Antonov added there were no plans yet for a reciprocal trip as Moscow wants to see what comes out of the congressional visit. "For me, it is important to make a step toward restoring parliamentary ties. If we succeed we'll talk about a wider range of relations."
The delegation will include legislators from both houses of US Congress. They have been already granted Russian visas and are expected in Moscow in early July.