Former Russian PM Yevgeny Primakov dies at 85

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Yevgeny Primakov, former Russian Prime Minister, foreign minister and spy master has died at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness.

A Kremlin spokesman said President Putin had been informed, and was said to be deeply saddened by the news.

He began his career in the Soviet era, playing a prominent role in failed efforts to avert the Gulf War in 1991.

As foreign minister, abroad he was viewed as a hawk, at home revered as a statesman and was credited with restoring stability after an economic crash in 1998.