President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a condolence message to His Excellency Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, following the sudden demise of H.E. Mr. Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations.

Ambassador Churkin, an astute and veteran diplomat, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017 one day before his 65^th birthday. The diplomat is said to have suffered a cardiac arrest while at the Russian Mission on East 67^th Street, New York and was taken to New York’s Presbyterian Hospital, where he died.

Ambassador Churkin, who held a Ph.D in history, served as Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 2006.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her consolation message to her Russian counterpart, Mr. Putin, the Liberian leader said, “This is a colossal loss not only to Russia but also to the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, where Ambassador Churkin was an outstanding figure and very revered by his colleagues.”

President Sirleaf believed that Ambassador Churkin’s tenacity and commitment to duty, which largely distinguished him in the field of diplomacy, will inspire many others, especially to a call to national duty.

“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Government and people of the Russian Federation for this irreparable loss, especially his family, including his widow, Madam Irina Churkina, his son Maksim and daughter Anastasia,” the Liberian leader said in her message.

Madam Sirleaf wished that Ambassador Churkin’s soul find perfect rest and hoped that God console the family members and renew their courage.