Belarus’s long-serving overseas minister has died “suddenly”, the nation’s state information company has mentioned.
Vladimir Makei, who had been in publish since 2012, was 64.
He attended a convention within the Armenian capital, Yerevan, earlier this week, and had been as a result of meet Russian overseas minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday.
“Foreign minister Vladimir Makei has passed away suddenly,” information company Belta reported, with out providing any additional particulars.
Before presidential elections in 2020 led to giant anti-government protests in Belarus, Mr Makei had been amongst these attempting to enhance Belarus’s relations with the West.
He had additionally criticised Russia.
Once the protests started, nevertheless, he mentioned that they had been impressed by brokers of the West.
And after Russia invaded Ukraine, earlier this yr, he claimed the West had provoked the warfare.
A number of days earlier than it started, on 24 February, he promised there could be no assault on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus, earlier than being proved flawed shortly afterwards.
Russian overseas ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned her nation was “shocked” to listen to of Mr Makei’s dying.
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, who retained energy regardless of the protests in 2020, has additionally expressed his condolences.
But exiled opposition chief, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, mentioned: “In 2020, Makei betrayed the Belarusian people and supported tyranny.
“This is how the Belarusian individuals will bear in mind him.”
Source: information.sky.com”