A Diplomat and a Gentleman: In Memory of Vitaly Churkin

Vitaly Churkin was born in Moscow on February 21, 1952.

Above: Russian United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin addresses reporters before an expected vote by the UN Security Council at the United Nations headquarters. December 18, 2016.

Russia's ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin (R) speaks with the US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad (L) and Chinese ambassador Guangya Wang (C) before a security council meeting at the United Nations headquarters. February 18, 2008.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin (L) at a UN Security Council meeting on the settlement of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa and countering the terrorist threat in the region during the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. September 30, 2015.

In 1974 Churkin graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations; he held a PhD degree in History.

Above: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awards Vitaly Churkin the Order For Merit to the Fatherland of IV degree. February 22, 2012.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin (L) talks to Senegal's Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye before a meeting of the UN Security Council regarding nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament at UN headquarters. September 23, 2016.

After graduating Churkin spent five years working as a translator at the USSR Foreign Ministry's translation department.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin returns to his seat after making a statement during the appointment of the Secretary-General designate, Antonio Guterres of Portugal, at United Nations headquarters. October 13, 2016.

Between 1979 and 1982 Churkin held the office of the third secretary of the USSR Foreign Ministry's US Department.

Above: Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin rides in a bus after a visit to Gracanica monastery. April 27, 2007.

Russian Permanent Representative Vitaly Churkin abstains during a vote to approve a resolution that will impose a no-fly zone over Libya during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. March 17, 2011.

In 1989-1990, Churkin worked as a spokesman for the USSR Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Above: Vitaly Churkin at the Femida award ceremony.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin (L) and United States’ UN Ambassador Samantha Power interact before an UN Security Council meeting on the Ukrainian crisis. March 15, 2014.

In 1990-1992 Churkin headed the Soviet and subsequently Russian Foreign Ministry information department.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin speaks to reporters after an informal Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria. July 26, 2013.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) talks with Russian permanent representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin before a meeting of the UN Security Council. September 19, 2014.

In 1992-1994, Churkin served as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.

Above: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L), Russian envoy to the UN Vitaly Churkin and Secretary General of the Council of the European Union Javier Solana. New York, 2006.

Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations during a Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York. March 3, 2014.

Serb Orthodox Archbishop Artemije welcomes Russian ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin among 15 members of the security council visiting the Gracanica monastery, Kosovo. April 27, 2007.

Vitaly Churkin served as Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations and the Russian representative in the UN Security Council from April 8, 2006 and until the very day of his death.

Above: Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin makes a statement during the appointment of the Secretary-General designate, Antonio Guterres of Portugal, at United Nations headquarters.

Russia's envoy to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin prepares to address the United Nations Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York. September 19, 2014.