Opinions & Interviews

OSIPOVICHI, 18 September (BelTA) – The Belarusian-Russian strategic army exercise Zapad 2017 is proceeding in a transparent and open manner, BelTA learned from Tomas Leets, an international observer from Estonia, who was watching the exercise at the Osipovichsky exercise area on 18 September.

The international observers were briefed in detail about the scenario of the episode before combat began. “Everything went precisely step by step. We saw no violations. Everything is going on as planned,” noted the observer.

“Although the exercise is not over yet, we are pleased with what we have seen. It is important that everything proceeds in a public and open manner. We get answers to all the questions we raise,” stressed Ragnhild Hustad, an international observer from Norway.

A total of 14 international observers from seven countries — Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Estonia, Poland, Ukraine, and Sweden — watched the exercise in the Osipovichsky exercise area on 18 September. Over 50 reporters, including 30 representatives of international mass media, were covering the event.