The foreign minister of Belarus has suddenly died today after reportedly holding secret talks to end the war in Ukraine.
Vladimir Makei, 64, was seen as the only main channel of communication to the West in dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s hardline pro-Russia regime.
His death mysteriously came the day after he met with the Pope’s envoy Ante Jozić where they reportedly discussed a secret peace plan to end the war in Ukraine.
Career spy Makei had been foreign minister for a decade and was due to host Vladimir Putin ’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Minsk on Sunday and Monday.
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 - military intelligence, and had a reputation as Lukashenko’s “grey cardinal”.
Some reports said Makei died of a heart attack at home.
“He did not seek medical help in time as he did not take his condition seriously,” said one source.
But others claimed he collapsed after reporting to Lukashenko on his meeting with the Pope’s envoy.
Brief Telegram channel said Makei had become an “irritant” to the Kremlin.
He was an opponent of Belarus becoming embroiled in Putin’s war in Ukraine, and had enemies in the powerful KGB security agency.
“Makei could have been poisoned or killed by local law enforcers,” said Brief.
“Makei had extremely bad relations with the KGB leadership. And was quite close with the leadership of the Ministry of Defence.”
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.
“A career intelligence officer, Makei was closely associated with Austrian intelligence and the Austrian elites.
“Makei provided a liberal trend. He often carried out delicate assignments from the Kremlin - and helped build special contacts between Moscow and the Austrians.
“At the same time, he was not a supporter of the Kremlin.”
Another channel Legitimniy stated: “He was the main covert lobbyist for Western interests in Minsk.
“Is it a coincidence? Or did someone take him out because he didn't deliver what he promised?
“Or, on the contrary, was he suspected of ‘draining information’?”
The channel went on: “Makei's main dream was the [Belarus] presidency.”
He was seen as having links to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Makei was seen as “a master of intrigue” who Lukashenko “admired and at the same time feared”.
He was a “most talented, cunning and dangerous politician”.
HVS channel said Makei was a politician “whose natural death one can never believe”.
He was seen by some as pro-Western until the outbreak of anti-Lukashenko protests following a rigged election, after which he became a loyalist opposing the West.
Others claimed he kept an independent foreign policy alive and did not give up contact with the West.
While Lukashenko is Putin’s closest international ally, the Kremlin has remained concerned that Belarus has failed to fully sign up to his war in Ukraine - even though Moscow has troops stationed in Belarus.
There were also concerns that Lukashenko - despite being a pariah - was seeking to do a secret deal with the West in the event of Putin’s being toppled.
The Belarus Foreign Ministry did not recognise the Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s republics” - sparking anger in Moscow.
Last week Makai attended the CSTO security session in Armenia, along with Putin and other senior Russian figures.
Makai warned of threats from NATO.
"We are shocked by the reports of the death of the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus," said Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
"Official condolences will be published soon."
