Vedomosti: Babich Cut Off $ 3 Billion Worth Illegal Goods Supplies From Belarus To Russia

The Kremlin is pleased with the work of the former ambassador to Belarus.

On April 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the Russian ambassador to Minsk and his special representative for the development of trade and economic relations with Belarus, Mikhail Babich.

By another decree, he appointed Senator Dmitry Mezentsev to the post of ambassador. Usually, the decree on the appointment of an ambassador is preceded by the consideration of his candidacy in the international committees of the State Duma and the Council of the Federation, but there is no information that it has been done.

Earlier, a source in the Federal Assembly spoke of Babich’s resignation to Vedomosti. He noted that Babich could hardly stay in this position for a long time: “Babich played as a catalyst to identify problems in bilateral relations, but at the same time created many conflict situations in Russia and Belarus.”

Babich’s resignation was not connected with the supply of polluted Russian oil – the decision on his dismissal was made much earlier, a source close to the Kremlin told to Vedomosti.

The real reason for the conflict between the Belarusian authorities and Babich is that he helped to cut off the $ 3 billion worth illegal supply of various goods from Belarus, the source said.

Moscow has no issues with Babich as in their opinion he has fully completed his task, he notes. The interlocutor of Vedomosti did not rule out that Babich could return to work in the presidential administration of the Russian Federation, or, alternatively, to the position of Putin's assistant or adviser.