Saturday 26 November 2022 04:17 PM Belarus foreign minister dies suddenly after speculation he'd been discussing ... trends now
The foreign minister of Russian ally Belarus died suddenly today at the age of 64, it was announced in Minsk.
Vladimir Makei, 64, was seen as the only main channel of communication to the West in dictator Alexander Lukashenko's hardline pro-Moscow regime.
His sudden death came the day after he met with the Pope's envoy Ante Jozić amid speculation they were discussing a secret peace plan over the war in Ukraine.
Career spy Makei had been foreign minister for a decade and was due tomorrow and Monday to host Vladimir Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Minsk.
Mr Makei (right) met with the Pope's envoy Ante Jozić (left) yesterday amid speculation they were discussing a secret peace plan over the war in Ukraine
Lavrov's spokeswoman said Russia was 'shocked' at his passing.
No cause of death was given - but several sources speculated that his demise could be suspicious.
Makei was described as 'healthy'.
He was seen as eyeing the Belarus presidency in the event of Lukashenko quitting - and was a former chief of staff to the tyrant.
He had been trained in the Soviet GRU - the military intelligence agency - and had a reputation as Lukashenko's 'grey cardinal'.
Vladimir Makei (left) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (right) are pictured in September, 2021. Makei was seen as eyeing the Belarus presidency in the event of Lukashenko quitting
Vladimir Makei (left) was due tomorrow and Monday to host Vladimir Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (right) in Minsk. The two are pictured in June 2021
The pro-war Russian Telegram channel Mardan posted: 'Strange death. Just in time. Just yesterday he discussed a peace plan with the envoy of the Pope.'
Narrative channel said: 'Makei was Lukashenko's main channel of communication with the West.
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