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Belarus' foreign minister, Vladimir Makei — a longtime associate of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko — has died suddenly, aged 64.
- Vladimir Makei's cause of death is unknown
- The Belarus President and close from of Mr Makei shared condolences
- Mr Makei is known for defending Russia's use of Belarus to attack Ukraine
Belarusian authorities did not name the cause of death and Mr Makei was not known to suffer from any chronic illness.
Prior to becoming foreign minister in 2012, Mr Makei served as Mr Lukashenko's chief of staff and, earlier, had worked as presidential adviser.
Mr Lukashenko offered his condolences to Mr Makei's family, according to the presidential office.
During Mr Makei's tenure as Belarus' top diplomat, he came under repeated criticism from the West for harsh suppression of the opposition, dubious elections and allowing Russia to use Belarus territory to attack Ukraine.
In September, Mr Makei defended Belarus' position to the United Nations Security Council.
"Belarus is referred to as an 'accomplice of the aggressor' or even a party to the conflict," he said at the time.
"We have said and continue to say: Belarus has never advocated the war, but we are not traitors either.
"We have allied commitments, and we are strictly following, and will follow, the spirit and letter of international treaties to which we are parties."
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said ministry officials were shocked by the news of Mr Makei's death.
AP