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Prominent Soviet and Russian diplomat dies in Moscow at the age of 83

MOSCOW, December 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Yuri Dubinin, a prominent Soviet and Russian diplomat, has died in Moscow at the age of 83, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Friday.

“The death of Yuri Dubinin is a heavy and irretrievable loss for the entire Russian diplomatic service. We are going to miss this kind and honest man,” the Ministry said.

The leadership and employees of the Russian Foreign Ministry are grieving this irretrievable loss and have presented condolences to Dubinin’s family and relatives.

Yuri Dubinin’s career was closely linked to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he had covered the way from a trainee to deputy foreign minister. The diplomat represented Russia with dignity in the international arena and staunchly defended its national interests in economy and foreign policy. Dubinin was an ambassador to Spain, France, Ukraine and the United States. In 1986, he was the Soviet Union’s ambassador to the United Nations for a short period of time. Dubinin was Russia’s deputy foreign minister from December 1994 to May 1996.

After his resignation, Dubinin taught at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and took an active part in training young experts.

Dubinin was awarded three Orders of the Red Banner of Labour; the Order of the Badge of Honour; the Order of Honour as well as many medals.

The Ukrainian leadership awarded Yuri Dubinin with the Order of Merit second class to commend his contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between Russia and Ukraine.

Dubinin is also the Commander of the National Order of Merit (France).

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