THE TÁNAISTE HAS said that he’s saddened by the death of Mikhail Timoshkin, the Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Ireland.

Timoshkin has died suddenly, but the circumstances of his death are not yet clear.

Eamonn Gilmore has said that he was saddened to hear of Timoshkin’s untimely death and offered condolences his family, colleagues and friends. He has praised the late ambassador for working to strengthen ties between Ireland and Russia since coming here in 2006.

In particular I would like to pay tribute to the key role he played in the President’s visit to Russia in September last year. This was the first visit by a President of Ireland to the Russian Federation and marked a significant step forward in our bilateral relationship.

Debbie Deegan, founder of the Irish charity To Russia With Love has also paid tribute to Timoshkin, saying “I think I probably spent more time in Mikhail’s office than any other Irish person”.

Deegan said that the ambassador couldn’t have been more helpful and that he was a “very good man” who was instrumental in setting up another charity called Russia in my Heart, which benefits Irish people who have adopted Russian children.

Timoshkin is survived by his wife Olga, and his daughter.