21st Century Wire says…
One of the most enigmatic Russian statesmen died suddenly today, in New York. Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, has died suddenly in New York, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The cause of Churkin’s death has not yet been released. Churkin, best known for his superb handling of Samantha Power’s histrionics in the UN and his dry wit combined with a sharp intelligence, will be sorely missed by his colleagues and allies, particularly in Syria.
The following is a report from RT on the death of a great man:
18:35 GMT
US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin,” according to a quote from the US Embassy on Twitter.
Теффт: Наши мысли и молитвы с родными и близкими Виталия Ивановича Чуркина @MID_RF @nikkihaley
— Посольство США в РФ (@USEmbRu) February 20, 2017
Russia has lost one its most talented diplomats. Shocking and tragic news. https://t.co/l3X8SUcE5x
— Michael McFaul (@McFaul) February 20, 2017
18:20 GMT
Russia’s Permanent Delegation to the UN has issued a statement, saying that Vitaly Churkin “died at the workplace.”
“We, who worked with this outstanding, energetic, and decent man for many years, are deeply shocked with what happened. It’s hard to believe that Vitaly Ivanovich is not with us anymore,” the statement said.
18:14 GMT
Speaking to RT, Veronika Krashennikova, a member of Russia’s Civic Chamber, noted how demanding the job performed by Vitaly Churkin at the UN was.
“The death of Vitaly Churkin is a gigantic loss for Russian diplomacy. He was at the political and media front line at the UN in New York. Over the last three years, with Ukraine, Syria and growing international tensions, Vitaly Ivanovich had to work to the max.”
18:10 GMT
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to the family and friends of Vitaly Churkin and to the staff of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
“The president learned the news with great sadness. He appreciated Churkin’s professional qualities and diplomatic talent,” Peskov said.
18:04 GMT
“He was a strong-willed, resolute, and dutiful person, who was admired by his colleagues and envied by his enemies,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told RT.
Russia’s UN Ambassador spared no effort and devoted his life and strength “to the fight for a brighter future for this world,” Ryabkov said, adding that Churkin’s death is “a great loss not only for diplomacy, but for the country in general.”
18:00 GMT
We offer sincere condolences to the family of Vitaly Ivanovich Churkin.#Churkin #UN #Russia #condolences pic.twitter.com/XB37QP34nn
— MFA Russia " class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> (@mfa_russia) February 20, 2017
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