New York • Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, a veteran diplomat known as a potent, savvy yet personable voice for his country's interests who could both spar and get along with his Western counterparts, fell ill and died suddenly Monday in his office at Russia's U.N. mission.
Vitaly Churkin was taken to a hospital where he died a day before his 65th birthday, said Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador, Vladimir Safronkov. The cause of his death was unknown.
As Russia's envoy at the United Nations since 2006 and a diplomat for decades, Churkin was considered Moscow's great champion at the U.N., where he was the longest-serving ambassador on the powerful Security Council.
Russian President Vladimir Putin esteemed Churkin's "professionalism and diplomatic talents," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the state news agency TASS. Diplomatic colleagues from around the world mourned Churkin as a master in their field: a passionate and effective advocate for his country; an intellectual with a doctorate in history who was also a onetime child actor with an acute wit; a formidable adversary who could remain a friend.
"We did not always see things the same way,, but he unquestionably advocated his country's positions with great skill," U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said in a statement.
Her predecessor, Samantha Power, described him on Twitter as a "diplomatic maestro and deeply caring man" who had done all he could to bridge differences between the U.S. and Russia.
From Moscow's vantage point, "Churkin was like a rock against which were broken the attempts by our enemies to undermine what constitutes the glory of Russia," Tass quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying.
Britain's U.N. ambassador, Matthew Rycroft, recalled "a diplomatic giant and wonderful character." Former French U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud, now French ambassador to the U.S., described Churkin as "abrasive, funny and technically impeccable."
FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, file photo, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin answers reporters' questions at the United Nations after a closed meeting of the Security Council. Russian officials said Churkin died suddenly in New York City on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, file photo, New Zealand's U.N. Ambassador Gerard van Bohemen, left, and Russia's ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, raise their hands as they join other members of the Security Council at the United Nations headquarters voting to pass a resolution supporting efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and jumpstart peace negotiations. Russian officials said Churkin died suddenly in New York City on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006, file photo, Vitaly Churkin, Russian Ambassador to the U.N, speaks to reporters as he leaves the building of the French Mission to the United Nations for a private meeting on the U.N. Security Council regarding the Israel-Lebanon conflict. Russian officials said Churkin died suddenly in New York City on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/David Karp, File)
FILE - In this Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, file photo, Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin speaks during a news conference to discuss the crisis in Ukraine, at United Nations headquarters. Russian officials said Churkin died suddenly in New York City on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
FILE - In this Thursday, March 27, 2014, file photo, Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin returns to his seat after speaking at United Nations headquarters. Russian officials said Churkin died suddenly in New York City on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin listen during a meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. Russian officials said Churkin died suddenly in New York City on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
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