Events

BORISOV DISTRICT, 20 September (BelTA) – The attempt to discredit the Belarusian-Russian military exercise was extremely unprofessional, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said after surveying the Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 activities on 20 September, BelTA has learned.

When asked about the concerns voiced by a number of western politicians and military prior to the exercise regarding, for example, the fears that not all Russian troops would leave Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko said: “I will happily comment on this later when all troops that were involved in the exercise return to the places of permanent deployment, including in Russia.”

The president advised those who attempted to discredit the Belarusian-Russian military exercises “to learn to do it.” The head of state stressed that with the Belarusian army strength at 75,000 men, the presence of several thousands of Russian troops in Belarus would change nothing. “If we need to solve any problem we will solve it. In case of any clash in the western direction, it is the Belarusian army who enters the war first to protect the interests of Russia and Belarus. Then the Russian Armed Forces will instantly deploy its units here, according to our military plans,” he said.

He stressed that the attempt to discredit the Belarus-Russia strategic army exercise was extremely unprofessional. "Let’s wait until all the troops of Russia and Belarus return to the places of permanent deployment and see what they will say then," Alexander Lukashenko said.

"I cannot even comment on this. Those who were involved in the discrediting campaign have also understood this," the Belarusian head of state said.

"We are not going to attack anyone. But if we are attacked we will strike back," Alexander Lukashenko stressed.