MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov has described the death of Alexander Darchiev, Russia’s ambassador to the United States, as a great loss to the diplomatic world.

"The diplomatic world has suffered a great loss. Alexander Darchiev, a master of the diplomatic game, an expert in international relations, and a defender of his homeland’s interests on the world stage, has passed away," he said.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that Darchiev had died at the age of 66 from a chronic disease.