UNITED NATIONS, February 22. /TASS/. The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Nikki Haley signed a book of condolences in memory of Vitaly Churkin opened at the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
"Vitaly was brilliant in seizing opportunities and remained loyal in his work towards the service of the people of Russia. His voice, presence and humor will be greatly missed. The United Nations and Security Council families will always remember him for the man that he was. May Vitaly rest in peace," she wrote.
A Book of Condolence on the passing of Ambassador Vitaly Churkin was opened at the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Tuesday. The ambassadors of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member-countries and UN Secretary General, Anttonio Guterres, were the first to leave messages in it.
Vitaly Churkin died in New York on February 20, a day before his 65th birthday. He has been Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since April 8, 2006. The Russian foreign ministry said the diplomat died while on duty. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree to posthumously award the Order of Courage to him.