Belarus international minister Vladimir Makei dies at 64

Belarus’s long-standing international minister, Vladimir Makei, died on Saturday, the state information company Belta reported.

Minsk,UPDATED: Nov 27, 2022 00:55 IST

File picture of Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei (Photo: Reuters)

By Reuters: Belarus’s long-standing international minister has died out of the blue, the state information company Belta reported on Saturday, two days earlier than he was meant to satisfy his Russian counterpart.

“Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei has passed away suddenly,” Belta reported with out giving additional element. Makei had held his submit since 2012.

Makei, 64, attended a convention of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – a army alliance of a number of submit soviet states – in Yerevan earlier this week and was resulting from meet Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Monday.

Before the presidential elections and mass anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020, Makei had been one of many initiators of efforts to enhance Belarus’ relations with the West and had criticised Russia.

However, he abruptly modified his stance after the beginning of the protests, saying they had been impressed by brokers of the West.

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started in February, Makei, a supporter of shut ties between Moscow and Minsk, stated the West had provoked the conflict and that the Ukrainian authorities ought to comply with the Russian phrases of peace.

A number of days earlier than the beginning of the conflict, Makei promised that there could be no assault on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus. A number of days later, Russian troops proved that he was mistaken.

“We are shocked by the reports of the death of the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei,” Russian international ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted in her Telegram channel. “Official condolences will be published soon.”

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who retained energy regardless of the protests of 2020, additionally expressed his condolences.

Exiled opposition chief Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, commenting on the minister’s demise known as Makei a traitor to the Belarusian individuals.

“In 2020, Makei betrayed the Belarusian people and supported tyranny. This is how the Belarusian people will remember him,” Tsikhanouskaya stated.

Posted By:

Manisha Pandey

Published On:

Nov 27, 2022