Belarus foreign minister Vladimir Makei dies suddenly

Belarus's former foreign minister, Alexander Belta, has reported that Vladimir Makei, foreign minister, has died suddenly. He did not give further details. Makei was in his position since 2012.

Makei, 64, was at a conference of Collective Security Treaty Organizations (CSTO), a military alliance made up of several post-Soviet states. He met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov Monday.

Makei was a key figure in efforts to improve relations between Belarus and the West before the 2020 presidential election and the mass anti-government protests. He had also criticised Russia.

After the protests began, however, he changed his mind abruptly, claiming that they were inspired and motivated by the West.

Makei, who supports close ties between Moscow, Minsk and Moscow, stated that Russia had started the invasion of Ukraine in February and that the West had provoked it and that the Ukrainian authorities should accept the Russian terms for peace.

Makei, a few days before the war began, promised that no attack would be made on Ukraine from Belarus. Russian troops proved him wrong a few days later.

Maria Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, posted on Telegram: "We are shocked at the reports of the Death of the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei. Official condolences are being published soon."

Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, who resisted the protests of 2020 expressed his condolences.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (exiled opposition leader), referring to Makei's death, called Makei a traitor to the Belarusian people.

"In 2020, Makei betrayed Belarusian people and supported dictatorship. "This is how the Belarusian people remember him," Tsikhanouskaya said.

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