Russia honours fallen diplomat Vitaly Churkin

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A memorial service has been held in Russia for the former ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, who died suddenly this week after falling ill at work a day short of his 65th birthday.

His 11-year stint in New York saw him deliver a pugnacious defence of Russian policy. He was hailed by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as “an outstanding diplomat of modern times.” He also served as Deputy Foreign Minister, and ambassador to Belgium and Canada.