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File photo of Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin who passed away suddenly on February 20 [Image: Russian UN Mission]
Churkin, who had been appointed as Russian envoy to the UN in 2006, passed away suddenly on February 20.
Many of his colleagues in the Security Council referred to his diplomatic prowess with some calling him a giant.
A farewell ceremony was held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday and was attended by more than 300 Russian and foreign diplomats and contemporaries.
The White House issued a note of condolences on Tuesday with US President Donald Trump saying that Churkin played a crucial role in working with the US to overcome global security challenges.
US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that Churkin’s death was a shock.
“He recognized the value of closer ties between our two countries,” she said in a statement.
Haley visited Churkin at his residence on February 4. Following the meeting, Churkin said that Haley appeared to be different from her predecessor sounding friendlier.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he was very saddened to hear of Churkin’s passing, describing him as a prominent and brilliant diplomat.
Churkin “without an exaggeration was one of the most outstanding diplomats … who enjoyed his colleague’s sincere respect and tremendous authority with his foreign partners,” Putin said in a cable of condolences to Churkin’s wife.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
