Belarus’ foreign minister undertook a three-day trip to Moscow yesterday. This visit coincides with rumors surrounding president Lukashenko’s absence from the public eye since May 9th, sparking speculation about his death in the media. Russia declared the arrival of Belarusian foreign minister Sergei Aleinik on May 10, indicating plans for discussions with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and the heads of both parliamentary houses. Aleinik assumed the position of foreign minister three weeks after his predecessor Vladimir Makei, who had served for a decade, passed away suddenly in November at 64.