The UN Security Council gave a public tribute to the late permanent representative of Russia Vitaly Churkin - but the tension remains, as Ukraine has blocked more formal statement of condolence.

15 Ministers of different countries of the Security Council staged a moment of silence in honor of the Russian diplomat, who died Monday from cardiac arrest. The Security Council also issued a press statement marking about the sudden loss Churkin. But Ukraine has blocked more formal statement of condolence to Churkin. Ukraine was the only Board member who did not give official comments about Churkin.

The Minister of foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin, told reporters that Ukraine had fundamental differences with the political positions of Churkin and how he represented them. He said that in Ukraine, if someone leaves, it is customary to say something positive or nothing at all.

But the Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine: "It goes against Christian values. It is beyond good and evil." Even ambassadors and governments, which was often at odds with the opinion Churkin expressed his condolences.

Trump called him a "good diplomat." "While American officials sometimes did not agree with their Russian colleagues, Ambassador Churkin has played a crucial role in working with the United States on a number of key issues to promote global security," the President said. "The President expressed his condolences to the American people, Russian people and government."

Churkin has spent over 40 years in the Russian diplomatic service and was head of the Russian mission to the United Nations for over ten years.
sections: Politics, World News, Accidents