Opinions & Interviews

MOSCOW, 26 September (BelTA) – Foreign observers were delighted by the Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017, BelTA learned from Anatoly Sidorov, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, in Moscow on 26 September.

Anatoly Sidorov said: “During the final phase of the exercise I was present at the command post where top-ranking government officials were, including Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. A large number of observers were present there as well as military attaches, representatives of embassies and international organizations, including NATO. I heard no remarks other than delight at the end of the wargames. I am absolutely sincere and objective about it. The observers assured themselves that the army exercise was not directed against third countries.”

Apart from that, the chief of the CSTO Joint Staff noted that the observers had been able to appreciate the potential of the Belarusian-Russian united military force.

The Zapad 2017 army exercise went off perfectly, concluded Anatoly Sidorov.