John Tefft
The U.S. Ambassador in Moscow John Tefft expressed his condolences in connection with death, permanent representative of Russia to the UN Vitaly Churkin. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin”, — quotes RIA Novosti statement of the Embassy.
“During my brief stay at the UN Ambassador Churkin has shown itself as a helpful colleague. We don’t always see things the same way, but it is certainly skillfully defended the position of his country. Our prayers and condolences we support his family and the people of Russia”, — said the U.S. permanent representative to the UN, Nikki Haley.
Your condolences have been expressed by former U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power. “Devastated [by the news] death of the Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin. Maestro of diplomacy and deeply caring person, he did everything possible to overcome the differences between the US and Russia”, — she wrote in his Twitter.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news,” wrote in his Twitter predecessor Power, Susan rice. “He was a huge force in the UN. Intelligent, responsible, with a great sense of humor,” she said. According to rice, Churkin was “a formidable opponent”, but always remained a friend. “My sincere condolences to his wife Irina, his family and the Russian mission to the UN,” — said the former Ambassador.
Churkin died in new York on Monday, February 20. He was 64 years old. According to the newspaper The New York Times, in the morning, the diplomat felt unwell due to “heart problems”, the death was caused by a heart attack.
Vitaly Churkin held the post of Russia’s envoy at the UN since 2006.