MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – A Belarusian delegation presented information on the Zapad 2025 exercise conducted in Belarus at a meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation held at the OSCE headquarters in Vienna on 17 September, BelTA has learned.
“On 12-16 September, the Zapad 2025 joint strategic exercise of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation took place on the territory of Belarus. In accordance with Chapter VII of the 2011 Vienna Document, OSCE participating states were in advance notified of the planned exercise back in November 2024. Unfortunately, long before it was held, the exercise became the subject of unfair insinuations, rumors, and falsehoods, circulated even at the official level. We have repeatedly stated this within the Forum for Security Cooperation,” the Belarusian delegation noted.
In order to prevent any speculation around this military exercise, reduce tensions, and restore trust in the region, Belarus undertook a number of concrete steps to ensure maximum openness and transparency of Zapad 2025.
First, it was decided to move the exercise away from Belarus’ borders deeper into the country’s territory.
Second, offensive scenarios and concepts were deliberately excluded from the plan. The exercise consisted of defensive episodes aimed at protecting and ensuring the security of the Belarus-Russia Union State. Detailed information on the exercise was sent by the Belarusian side to all OSCE participating states on 31 July 2025.
Third, the number of troops participating in the exercise was reduced by half. The total strength amounted to about 6,900 service members, of whom 1,000 came from the Russian Federation.
Fourth, in a spirit of goodwill, all OSCE participating states without exception were invited to observe the exercise, despite the fact that it did not reach the thresholds for mandatory observation under Chapter VI of the Vienna Document. Although NATO and European Union member states were invited to observe the exercise within the framework of the Vienna Document, this invitation was ignored. Defense attachés from certain NATO member states accredited to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, citing instructions received, were also forced to decline participation in observing the practical phase of the exercise at the last moment.
The Belarusian side expressed gratitude to OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu for the decision to send an observer from the OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre.
“OSCE participating states also had the full right, under the Vienna Document, to organize several inspection activities on the territory of Belarus during the exercise. Unfortunately, even those countries whose representatives regularly voice concerns about military activity on our territory did not make use of this right. We regard this as a lost opportunity. If some want to address concerns in the military sphere, it is necessary to resume contacts and dialogue on this matter,” the Belarusian delegation stressed.
Photos by Vitaly Pivovarchik
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