Uladzimir Astapenka has been appointed Acting Representative for Foreign Affairs of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the Cabinet. Astapenka previously served as the Deputy Representative for Foreign Affairs.
This appointment follows the resignation of Valer Kavaleuski, who submitted his credentials during a meeting of the United Transitional Cabinet.
Commenting on the leadership change, the UTC Head, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, stated:
"I am deeply grateful to Valer Kavaleuski for his three and a half years of dedicated service, first in the Office and subsequently in the Cabinet. Among his many accomplishments, Valer raised the profile of Belarus at international forums and organizations, established the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels, and tirelessly assisted Belarusians abroad.
During today's Cabinet meeting, Valer informed us of his decision to step down as Representative for Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Uladzimir Astapenka, Head of the Mission of Democratic Belarus in Brussels and former Deputy to Valer, will assume the responsibilities of the Representative for Foreign Affairs in an acting capacity."
Uladzimir Astapenka is a seasoned diplomat and holds a PhD in Law. In 2020, he resigned from his position as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Argentina, citing numerous violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of Belarusian citizens as enshrined in the Constitution and international legal obligations, as well as clear and gross falsification of the presidential election results.