Vladimir Arkadyevich Astapenko served as Belarus' Ambassador to Argentina until 2020. He resigned on the day of Alexander Lukashenko's inauguration, September 23, 2020, stating that he believed "in a better future for the Belarusian people." Soon after, Lukashenko signed a decree dismissing Astapenko and stripping him of his diplomatic rank "due to committing an offense incompatible with serving in the diplomatic service." Ostapenko did not agree with this wording of the reason for his dismissal and tried to change it through the court, but to no avail. Vladimir was forced to leave Belarus.
He then joined Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's team and now works in the United Transitional Cabinet. Special proceedings were initiated against the former ambassador on December 21, 2022.
