In particular, the President stressed that his departure is an irreparable loss for the fans of the maestro's multifaceted talent and for all those who knew this brilliant, charming and surprisingly accessible man. He also noted that Van Cliburn's work brought together and united people of different nations living on different continents for many years, during the most complex periods of history.
Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that Russia will always remember Van Cliburn as a sincere friend of the Russian people.