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

Makei, 64, attended a convention of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) – a navy alliance of a number of publish soviet states – in Yerevan earlier this week and was as a consequence of 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 couple of days earlier than the beginning of the conflict, Makei promised that there can be no assault on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus. A couple of days later, Russian troops proved that he was improper.

“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 referred to 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.