Belarus’ Defence Ministry: Zapad-2025 exercise to take place in September

Major General Valery Revenko, the Chief of the International Military Co-operation Department, Assistant to the Defence Minister for International Military Co-operation, has held a briefing today on topical issues of military policy, construction and development of Belarus’ Armed Forces. Representatives of the foreign military and diplomatic corps from 24 countries accredited to Belarus’ Defence Ministry are taking part in the event.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Revenko noted that the Zapad-2025 joint exercise with Russia will take place in September, “We are currently working out a position on inviting OSCE member states to these manoeuvres. We are committed to compliance with the Vienna Document 2011. At the same time, I cannot at the moment say anything about inviting a number of states that have a negative or peculiar attitude to the implementation of this document with regard to our country. Last year, Belarus was not invited to a number of military drills that were monitored. This applies to Poland, Estonia, Latvia and others. Again, we are not saying no. We are saying that we will look at further steps to be taken by the leadership of these countries and the management of the defence agencies.”