Kommersant and Znak: Boris Gryzlov will become the new ambassador of Russia to Belarus
Photo: Globallookpress.com
Russian Ambassador to Belarus Yevgeny Lukyanov may be recalled; his post will probably be replaced by Russia's representative in the contact group on resolving the situation in Ukraine Boris Gryzlov. This was reported to Znak.com by a source in the State Duma.
In particular, it became known that Gryzlov's candidacy on Wednesday, December 22, had already been approved by the Duma Committee for CIS Affairs. The final decision on the dispatch of a new ambassador will be made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Gryzlov is a political heavyweight, a man with a reputation, the president trusts him. Therefore, his appointment demonstrates the importance of cooperation between Russia and Belarus, speaks of an even greater rapprochement between our countries, ”the source explained. According to him, later the creation of a common parliament of the countries may also follow.
Information about Gryzlov's appointment was also confirmed by two sources of Kommersant in the Russian Foreign Ministry and one source in the State Duma.
Diplomat Lukyanov took over as Russian Ambassador to Belarus on March 25, 2021. Prior to that, from 2016 to 2021, he was the ambassador of the Russian Federation to Latvia, and in 2012-2016 – the deputy secretary of the Security Council.
Gryzlov is currently the chairman of the Supreme Council of United Russia, the plenipotentiary of Russia in the contact group for resolving the situation in Ukraine, as well as the chairman of the board of directors of the Corporation Tactical Missiles Corporation. Previously, he was a deputy of the State Duma, and from 2001 to 2003 he headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
On November 4, Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko signed the integration decree of the Union State. The heads of state approved 28 previously approved integration programs, as well as the military doctrine and concept of migration policy. Prior to that, in September, the Russian leader admitted that Moscow and Minsk could create a union parliament. The State Duma suggested that this would take about a year and a half.
