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Reuters
The Deputy of the Simferopol city Council Stepan Kiskin (Communist party) proposed the establishment of an international prize named after Vitaly Churkin, who held the position of permanent representative of Russia to the UN. A copy of the open letter addressed to the foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and the leadership of the Crimea, he posted on his page in Facebook on Tuesday, February 28.
In his letter, Keskin stressed the merits of a diplomat’s fight for “the truth about the Russian Crimea”. “I think that the name of such an active patriot should be immortalized. I propose to award the prize each year February 20 — the day of memory of the outstanding Russian diplomat,” reads the text.
The MP offers prize to reward the citizens of the Russian Federation and other States, Russian diplomats, politicians and public figures for defending the interests of the Peninsula in the world. “The size of the award, source of funding, position and medal award offer approved by the Republican authorities and the Federal authorities with the involvement of a broader public,” said Keskin.
February 22 at the permanent mission of Russia to the UN in new York held a farewell ceremony with Vitaly Churkin, who died 20 Feb. Farewell speech by the Russian Ambassador in Washington Sergey Kislyak, Deputy of the Russian Ambassador Pyotr Ilyich and Vladimir Safronkov, UN Secretary-General, antónio Guterres, as well as the permanent representatives of the US, Nikki Haley, Colombia Maria Emma Velez and Kazakhstan Kairat Umarov.
Guterres, in particular, noted the “unquestioned authority” Churkin in the UN Security Council and the respect which he enjoyed among his colleagues.
Churkin held the position of Russia’s permanent representative to the UN since 2006.