Russia's ambassador to the United Nations died Monday at age 64, The Associated Press reported.

Vitaly Churkin, a veteran diplomat, died suddenly after falling ill and being rushed to a hospital in New York, according to the AP.

His cause of death is not yet know.

Churkin served as Russia's ambassador to the United Nations since 2006 and was the longest-serving member of the Security Council.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Churkin.

"The president was grieved to learn about the death of Vitaly Churkin," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the state news agency TASS.

A spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry said Churkin was an "extraordinary person.

"A bright man. We have lost a dear one," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a Facebook post.

"Our thoughts go to his family, to his friends and to his government," said U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.