Reports: Kremlin wants ex-KGB commando as ambassador in Minsk
Moscow looks set to appoint Mikhail Babich, 49, as its ambassador to Belarus. The Russian authorities have requested preliminary consent from Minsk via the diplomatic channels, the Russian business news outlet RBK reports quoting other sources. Babich is a former paratrooper and an ex-member of the KGB commandos unit. He served as the head of the pro-Russia Chechen government during the war in the region. In 2016, Ukraine rejected his candidature as Russia's envoy in Kyiv, with some of the Ukrainian officials calling him 'a professional saboteur.' Mikahil Babich has been the Russian President’s special envoy in the Volga Federal District for the past seven years.
Russian MPs and senators are expected soon to discuss Babich's new diplomatic assignment. Babich is described as 'an influential apparatus member' to take on the job in ‘a strategically important spot.’
Vladislav Surkov was rumored to become Ambassador to Belarus earlier but the information was not confirmed. Russian Ambassador Alexander Surikov has been working in Belarus since 2006. He will turn 78 in August.
