Russia’s ambassador to UN collapses and dies suddenly at Manhattan embassy - the day before his birthday
Vitaly Churkin fell unconscious with a “cardiac condition” around 9.30am and was rushed to New York’s Presbyterian Hospital

Dissenting voices: Russia's Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin votes against the resolution

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Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations collapsed and died suddenly today after suffering a heart attack while at his embassy in Manhattan.

Vitaly Churkin fell unconscious with a “cardiac condition” around 9.30am and was rushed to New York’s Presbyterian Hospital.

However, despite attempts to revive him with CPR he was pronounced dead shortly after 11am.

The 64-year-old diplomat served as Russia’s permanent representative to the UN since 2006.

Churkin had been Russia’s envoy at the United Nations for a little over a decade and was considered Moscow’s great champion at the U.N.

The cause of death wasn’t immediately known. Churkin had a reputation for an acute wit and sharp repartee especially with his American and Western counterparts.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said she was devastated by Churkin’s death. She called Churkin a deeply caring man who did all he could to bridge the differences between the U.S. and Russia.

Matthew Rycroft, the British ambassador to the UN, called Churkin’s death the loss of a “diplomatic giant.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russias-ambassador-un-collapses-dies-9857117