Posted:
28.05.2025 16:36:00
Revenko: foreign observers to be invited to Zapad-2025 exercise despite the changes
Despite the changes in exercise specifications, foreign observers will be invited to Zapad-2025 — as stated by Valery Revenko, the Chief of the International Military Co-operation Department, Assistant to the Defence Minister for International Military Co-operation, BelTA reports
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“At a meeting of the CSTO Council of Defence Ministers, Belarus’ Defence Minister stated that the Zapad-2025 exercise specifications are being changed and its main manoeuvres are being relocated deep into the territory of Belarus. What does it mean? What exercise specifications are being changed? First of all, the number of participating troops is reduced by almost half. This means that the exercise is unobserved — and we are not obliged to notify about them according to the Vienna Document. At the same time, Belarus will notify all countries of the exercises and their specifications. We also intend to organise observation of this exercise so that everyone can see the defensive purpose of the exercise and where exactly it is conducted,” Valery Revenko stated.
He further added that the Polish side, as well as other NATO member states, is not willing to elaborate on the Zapad-2025 exercise specifications.
“They are not willing to have a dialogue, they are not responding to our invitation, which would allow them to verify what will happen during this exercise, what elements we will practice, how many troops will be involved and that no agreement will be violated," the Assistant to the Defence Minister emphasised.
“At a meeting of the CSTO Council of Defence Ministers, Belarus’ Defence Minister stated that the Zapad-2025 exercise specifications are being changed and its main manoeuvres are being relocated deep into the territory of Belarus. What does it mean? What exercise specifications are being changed? First of all, the number of participating troops is reduced by almost half. This means that the exercise is unobserved — and we are not obliged to notify about them according to the Vienna Document. At the same time, Belarus will notify all countries of the exercises and their specifications. We also intend to organise observation of this exercise so that everyone can see the defensive purpose of the exercise and where exactly it is conducted,” Valery Revenko stated.
He further added that the Polish side, as well as other NATO member states, is not willing to elaborate on the Zapad-2025 exercise specifications.
“They are not willing to have a dialogue, they are not responding to our invitation, which would allow them to verify what will happen during this exercise, what elements we will practice, how many troops will be involved and that no agreement will be violated," the Assistant to the Defence Minister emphasised.
