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Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday sent a condolence message on the passing of Iosif Kobzon, a Russian lawmaker and iconic crooner who was dubbed “the Soviet Sinatra” during his decades-long career.

The message, released by the PM’s office, runs as follows:

“I was deeply grieved to learn about the demise of USSR People’s Artist, Russian State Duma Member Iosif Kobzon. Iosif Davidovich was one of the most demanded and beloved artists, an intellectual, a prominent figure whose name was undoubtedly held in great respect both in Russia and abroad.

All the way through his lifetime, he remained a devoted friend of the Armenian people, an earnest advocate of stronger and well-developed Armenian-Russian relations, and he was bestowed with numerous State wards of Armenia.

I hereby extent my sincere condolences to Iosif Kobzon’s family, friends and relatives on this irreversible loss.”

Russian news agencies quoted Kobzon’s assistant as saying the singer’s death resulted from a protracted illness, a typical Russian euphemism for cancer. Kobzon was diagnosed with cancer a decade ago.