Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin dies aged 64

The Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, has died suddenly in New York aged 64, Russian officials have said.

Russia's deputy UN ambassador, Vladimir Safronkov, said that Mr Churkin became ill in his office at Russia's UN mission and was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where he died on Monday.

His cause of death was not immediately known.

Mr Churkin had been Russia’s envoy at the UN for more than 10 years and was considered Moscow’s greatest champion at the UN.

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He had a reputation for an acute wit and sharp repartee, especially with his American and Western counterparts.

He was previously ambassador-at-large and had also served as a spokesman for Russia’s foreign ministry.