Lavrov comments on West's paranoid speculations around Belarus-Russia drills
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says West's speculations around Belarus-Russia exercises are paranoid, TASS reports
"I have previously commented on speculations that the Russian-Belarusian exercises were aimed to attack Ukraine from the north and to capture Kiev. These completely paranoid scenarios were published many times there – unfortunately, by the reputable media. Apparently, the hype and the need of these actions’ conductors and scriptwriters dominated the media as well,” Mr. Lavrov said, adding that Russian troops are returning to places of their permanent deployment in line with the planned schedule – regardless of the West’s hysteria in connection with Russia's allegedly impending invasion of Ukraine.
"As for Russia’s exercises – that are taking place on the country’s own territory and in line with its own plans – I would like to emphasise once again: they start, are carried out and end as planned. We have voiced this many times," Mr. Lavrov said. “This refers also to the exercises in the west of the country, similar activities in the Far East and joint Russian-Belarusian drills that are also developing and being carried out strictly in accordance with a pre-agreed schedule. This is done regardless of others’ thoughts, hysteria or – I dare to say – information terrorism. When the dogs bark, the camels just keep walking."
