Lukashenko shuffles key government roles amid international sanctions
Alexander Lukashenko has reshuffled the Belarusian government. The dictator replaced two ministers and the head of the presidential administration reported the Belarusian state agency BelTA. All the nominees are under international sanctions.
7:54 AM EDT, June 28, 2024
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Many pieces of information provided by Belarusian media or authorities are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information warfare waged by the Russian Federation.
Dmitry Krutoy, the former Belarusian ambassador to Russia, is the new head of Lukashenko's administration. His deputy is Natalia Petkevich, who has worked closely with Lukashenko for years.
Changes also occurred in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture. Maksim Ryzhenkov, the former deputy head of Lukashenko's administration, is the new head of Belarusian diplomacy. The independent portal Zerkalo.io called him an "unexpected candidate."
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will be headed by the deputy chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Anatoly Linevich.
Heads have rolled in Belarus. Lukashenko made changes
According to independent Radio Liberty, all the nominees are closely linked to Lukashenko's regime and are, without exception, on the list of individuals under Western sanctions.
The Belarusian propaganda did not provide reasons for the changes at the top. It is only known that the former foreign minister left his position to become a senator.