Russian UN Mission Draws Sympathies of Diplomats Over Slain Envoy in Turkey

Diplomats expressed sympathies to Russia’s mission to the United Nations following a shooting in Ankara, Turkey that killed Ambassador Andrey Karlov, according to a statement.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – On Monday, Karlov was killed by a gunman at an art gallery exhibition opening in the Turkish capital city of Ankara.

“The newly elected Secretary-General [Antonio] Guterres, as well as UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and Permanent Representative of Turkey Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, who both personally knew Ambassador Karlov, expressed their condemnation and sympathy in a phone conversation with the Russian Permanent Representative,” the statement said.

The United States’ UN ambassador, Samantha Power, “was among the first to offer her condolences,” according to the statement.

Current Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, whose term expires December 31, began an address to the Security Council on Monday by offering condolences to the Russian delegation.

In a statement, the Council “condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack” that resulted in the death of the Russian ambassador to Turkey at an art gallery event in Ankara, the capital. Three other people were injured in the attack.