MOSCOW, February 24. /TASS/. Russia’s former Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin, who died on February 20 in New York, has left a bright impression in history of the Russian foreign policy and diplomacy, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the farewell ceremony.

"Today, we are saying farewell to our friend, an outstanding diplomat, man," the foreign minister said on Friday. "Vitaly was the best professional and a national diplomat."

Vitaly Churkin died on February 20, a day before his 65th birthday. He had been Russia’s UN ambassador since April 8, 2006, representing the country in the United Nations Security Council. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ambassador died while on duty.

On Tuesday, the UN Security Council observed a minute of silence for Churkin, and the General Assembly will hold a special meeting in the coming days to pay tribute to him.

Vitaly Churkin will be buried later on Friday in Moscow.