On Tuesday, January 26, after a long illness, former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Sergei Prikhodko, who was 64 years old, died.

“Very sad news came this morning.

Sergey Eduardovich Prikhodko died.

The President deeply condolences on this loss.

I sent a telegram to the Prikhodko family, ”said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Vladimir Putin.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also expressed his condolences.

He noted that Prikhodko worked for many years in responsible government posts - in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the presidential administration and the government - where he proved himself to be a professional of the highest class, and also "made a significant contribution to the development of international cooperation, strengthening the position of our state in the world arena."

“He brilliantly mastered the art of diplomacy, thoroughly understood the intricacies of foreign policy processes, always consistently and reasonably defended Russia's national interests,” the telegram says.

According to Mishustin, Prikhodko was distinguished by unique personal and business qualities, strong character and integrity.

At the same time, he always treated people with warmth and sincerity, the head of the Cabinet added.

“This is how he will remain in the hearts of all who knew and respected him,” Mishustin said.

Chairman of the State Duma Viacheslav Volodin also expressed deep condolences in connection with the death of Sergei Prikhodko.

“A well-known statesman and professional diplomat, Sergei Eduardovich made a significant contribution to strengthening our country, the system of public administration.

Sergei Eduardovich was distinguished by personal decency and a responsible attitude to work.

He enjoyed well-deserved authority and respect.

A blessed memory, ”the press service of the lower house of parliament quotes him.

According to sources in the Kommersant newspaper, Prikhodko had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Sergei Prikhodko began his state activities in 1980 as a duty assistant and attaché of the USSR Embassy in Czechoslovakia after graduating from MGIMO.

Later he worked in the central apparatus of the USSR and RF Foreign Ministries, in the Russian diplomatic mission in the Czech Republic.

In April 1997, Russian President Boris Yeltsin appointed Prikhodko as his assistant for international affairs.

A year later, he became deputy chief of staff of the head of state.

From 1999 to 2004, he also headed the foreign policy department of the President of the Russian Federation.

After that, for eight years he was an assistant to the President of Russia, first under Vladimir Putin, and then under Dmitry Medvedev.

Later, at various times, he held the posts of First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Prime Minister - Chief of Staff of the Government.

In addition, he was the chairman of the board of directors of the Agency for Housing Mortgage Lending (now JSC DOM.RF) and the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation, as well as a member of the board of directors of PJSC Sukhoi Company.

Since January 29, 2020, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has appointed Sergei Prikhodko to the post of assistant to the head of government.

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Konstantin Kosachev, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, in an interview with RT, highlighted Prikhodko's high personal qualities, which he demonstrated both in work and in life.

“I believe that he was one of the brightest, most professional, most talented and most decent politicians of recent times, of our era.

For me, he is a man of the era.

He is in our hearts, we grieve.

I am personally shocked by this loss, I learned that he was seriously ill, and to the last tried to support him.

Eternal memory ", - said Kosachev.

The senator said that he and Prikhodko were family friends.

“For me, Sergei Eduardovich was not just a colleague, but one of my closest friends.

We met and became friends when we simultaneously held the positions of deputy directors of the second European department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, - Kosachev recalled.

- He was the deputy in charge of the Baltic states, and I was the deputy in charge of the Nordic countries.

Naturally, this is both geographically and thematically very close, so we worked in close contact.

They worked in perfect harmony, and then these relationships grew from professional to human.

And so we moved through life without losing each other. "

Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), also noted, first of all, Prikhodko's moral qualities.

“It is a pity that he is no longer with us.

Sergei Prikhodko and I studied together, on the same course, it was a long time ago, at MGIMO.

And, of course, then no one thought that he would make such a career and that he would be deputy prime minister.

It seemed to me that as a person he was not career-oriented, but he was always an ideal companion, "Kortunov told RT.

He added that he talked a lot with Prikhodko when he worked in Prague.

“We then went there from time to time, we spent vacations there together already in the early 90s.

Then he came to me, consulted on foreign policy issues, when he became Boris Nikolayevich's assistant on international affairs, ”Kortunov recalls.

In addition, he said that Prikhodko has repeatedly helped the Russian International Affairs Council.

“This help was especially important for us when we were planning major events. In particular, Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev spoke with us when he was president, and then when he was prime minister. Prikhodko has always been our reliable partner and donor. For the last couple of years he was less active, he could not get involved in our current work as before, but, nevertheless, at the first stage of the RIAC's existence, he did a lot for the organization to work normally, "explained Kortunov ...