Permanent representative of Russia to the UN Vitaly Churkin was buried on Friday, February 24, at Troekurov cemetery in Moscow. The coffin with the body of the diplomat was lowered into the ground to the sounds of Russian national anthem and gun salute, reports “Interfax”.
A memorial service was held earlier on February 24, in the Great funeral hall of CCB. During the ceremony, the head of Russian foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov handed over to the widow of Ambassador Irina Churkinoj the order of Courage, which her husband had been awarded posthumously by the decree of President Vladimir Putin.
“Except that he was the Supreme professional, he was also the national diplomat. Just look how popular he was among the people,” — said Lavrov.
The funeral was attended by first Deputy foreign Minister Vladimir Titov, Deputy Ministers Mikhail Bogdanov, Gennady Gatilov, Grigory Karasin, Alexei Meshkov, Igor Morgulov, and the official speaker of the Ministry Maria Zakharova.
Vitaly Churkin died in new York on 20 February, the day before your 65th birthday. As reported by the media, the diplomat and her condition worsened due to heart problems, after which he was taken in serious condition to a hospital. Doctors were unable to save him.
Churkin worked in the position since 2006. Charge d’affaires of Russia to the UN in connection with the death of the Ambassador appointed his first Deputy Pyotr Ilyich. He will hold this position until the appointment of a new representative at the world organization.