By Yuri Kozlov: The Belarusian-Russian maneuvers kick off on 14 September. Their goal is to develop cooperation between the two countries. The Ministry of Defense of Belarus emphasizes that the exercise is purely defensive in nature.
Since 2009, the exercise is held once every two years. Minsk and Moscow take turn in organizing the maneuvers. This is now the third time that Belarus is hosting the military drills. The active phase of the Zapad 2017 drills will begin in a week, however, the preparations have long been in full swing.
The maneuvers have caused an unprecedented stir in the European press. Over the past 9 months, they have been mentioned about 800,000 times. Experts point out the media hype comes as no surprise. The drills take place against the backdrop of a difficult military and political situation in the region.
The total number of personnel participating in the Zapad 2017 drills is 12,700 people. About 10,200 military will be involved in the maneuvers in the territory of Belarus.
NATO experts, as well as a number of observers from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Sweden, and Norway are expected to arrive in Belarus. A record number of representatives of foreign media will attend the exercise, too. At the moment the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is processing about 270 appeals from foreign media.
Dmitry Mironchik, the Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Belarus: "Belarus is interested in strengthening security and military and political stability in the region. Belarus strictly adheres to its international legal obligations and acts in the spirit of the Vienna Document even when it does not have formal obligations to its neighbors and partners."
Experts note that such a level of transparency is the best way to assure the neighbors of Belarus’ peaceful intentions. The Zapad 2017 drills will be held through 20 September. Within ten days after the end of the maneuvers, Belarusian and Russian military units will return to the points of their permanent deployment.
