Russia: Federal Council head Matviyenko pays respects to "mentor" Primakov

The Chairperson of the Federal Council of Russia Valentina Matviyenko paid her respects to former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Maksimovich Primakov from Moscow, Friday, after the former Russian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister passed away on Friday, stating that Primakov was a great "statesman, a true patriot, and a man with a wonderful soul." Matviyenko said that she was shocked at news of Primakov's death, adding that she was "thankful" that she had the chance to work under him. The chairperson of the Russian parliament said that Primakov "always was, is and will remain a teacher and mentor. We will all miss him very much." The former Russian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov died aged 85 after a protracted illness in Moscow. Primakov went into politics in 1989 and during his career served as chairman of the Soviet Union as well as director of Russia's external intelligence services between 1991 and 1996. Primakov spent the later years of his in life dedicated to academia, becoming a member of the governing board of the Russian Academy of Sciences.