Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Tuesday awarding the Order of Courage to the country's late ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Vitaly Churkin.

The posthumous honor was given for Churkin's "dedication, perseverance and professionalism shown at the post of Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN," said a Kremlin statement.

Churkin suddenly passed away on Monday in New York, a day before his 65th birthday. The senior diplomat had served as the Russian envoy to the UN since 2006.

Born on Feb. 21, 1952 in Moscow, Churkin served as ambassador-at-large at the Russian Foreign Ministry from 2003 to 2006, before his appointment as ambassador to the United Nations. He was Russian ambassador to Canada from 1998 to 2003, and to Belgium from 1994 to 1998.

The UN, China and some other countries have expressed condolences over Churkin's death.

Source: Xinhua