Łukašenka appoints new foreign minister, new chief of his administration

June 27, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka has dismissed Siarhiej Alejnik as foreign minister after a year and a half in office, Pul Pervogo reported.

He picked Maksim Ryžankoŭ, 52, a former first deputy head of his administration, to replace him.

Ryžankoŭ worked at the foreign ministry from 2003 to 2006.

Łukašenka has appointed Dźmitryj Krutoj, 43, as head of his administration.

Krutoj served as Belarusian ambassador to Russia, and earlier he served as deputy head of Łukašenka’s administration from June 2020 to August 1, 2022.

Łukašenka’s press office quoted him as saying that Krutoj will remain in charge of the implementation of agreements with Russia.

Natalla Piatkievič, 51, has replaced Ryžankoŭ as first deputy head of the administration.

She had held that office for two years, until the end of 2010, before becoming Łukašenka’s aide.

Piatkievič was his spokeswoman from 2001 to 2004. She retired from civil service in 2014. Then she reportedly married Valancin Rybakoŭ, Belarus’ permanent representative to the United Nations, and lived in the USA despite being under US sanctions.

Łukašenka has appointed Juryj Šulejka, ex-chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, as deputy prime minister in charge of agriculture.

Anatol Linievič, former first deputy chairman of the Viciebsk Regional Executive Committee, has been named minister of agriculture.

Siarhiej Bartaš, who headed the ministry for less than a year since August 2023, has been dismissed.

Łukašenka also has promoted Deputy Industry Minister Alaksandar Jafimaŭ to industry minister.

Jafimaŭ replaсed Alaksandar Rahožkin, who headed the ministry since October 2022. In turn, Rahožkin has been named ambassador to Russia.

Juryj Frałoŭ, who led the State Control Committee’s Main Audit Directorate for Minsk, has become Łukašenka’s aide in Minsk.