Belarus foreign minister Vladimir Makei dies suddenly

Vladimir Makei, who was Belarus’s Foreign Minister and an ally of their President Alexander Lukashenko, has died aged 64.

Makei wasn’t known to have any serious health conditions and authorities in Belarus have not yet confirmed his cause of death.

Makei also held other positions within the government before becoming Foreign Minister, he was previously Lukashenko’s Chief of Staff and Presidential Adviser.

The Belarussian government have recently come under criticism of both suppressing any opposition and also for permitting Russian troops to use its territory to launch attacks on Ukraine.

Makei defended Belarus’ position in an address to the United Nations Security Council in September.

“Belarus is referred to as an ‘accomplice of the aggressor’ or even a party to the conflict. We have said and continue to say: Belarus has never advocated the war. But we are not traitors either!” Makei previously said of their alliance with Russia. “We have allied commitments, and we are strictly following and will follow the spirit and letter of international treaties to which we are parties.”

According to The President’s office, Lukashenko offered his condolences to Makei’s family.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also said that Russian officials were shocked at his death.