Łukašenka dismisses ambassadors to Ukraine and Estonia

October 19, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has dismissed Ihar Sokał and Viačasłaŭ Kačanaŭ as ambassadors to Ukraine and Estonia respectively.

Sokał had served in this capacity since June 2016. Kačanaŭ – since June 2018.

Both left the countries of service more than a year ago, after Russia launched an offensive on Kyiv from Belarus. Sokał left Ukraine on March 18, 2022. Kačanaŭ was recalled “for consultations” on October 1, 2022.

Sokał told Belarusian state television that his car was fully searched when he was crossing from Ukraine. A Ukrainian border guard reportedly handed the ambassador a small bag with 30 fake pieces of silver for the betrayal, which he refused to take.

Tallinn does not recognize Łukašenka as lawfully elected president of Belarus. A European Union member, Estonia has supported EU sanctions on Minsk.