Ryzhenkov appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has appointed Maxim Ryzhenkov Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, BelTA correspondent reports.

Until now, Maxim Ryzhenkov has been First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.

"I know that all this time you couldn't get away (and well) from your alma mater and previous work (we're talking about Maxim Ryzhenkov's extensive experience of previous work in the Foreign Ministry system. - BELTA note). But this is not what attracts me to you. You are a tough, demanding person. The Foreign Ministry needs to be brought to its senses. I'm speaking openly: the Foreign Ministry needs to be shaken up to start working," said the head of state.