BARANOVICHI DISTRICT, 13 September (BelTA) – The absence of observers from the USA and the EU at the Zapad 2021 exercise is a small-minded approach, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media at the Obuz-Lesnovsky training area, which hosted one of the stages of the joint strategic exercise of the Belarusian and Russian Armed Forces Zapad 2021, on 12 September, BelTA has learned.
“The Russians and us invited everyone who needed and wanted to watch this exercise. They were not present, but they saw everything. Only madmen fail to see such a large-scale exercise. And the fact that they did not come is such a small-minded position, an insane position,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president noted that the plan of the exercise, the number of the personnel involved and the weapons used were not kept secret, and the West is aware of all this.
“They saw this all. Even those who have not been here,” the head of state said. According to him, Belarusian and Russian law enforcement agencies and special services detained suspicious persons who entered Belarus from the territory of Ukraine. “NATO members got here through Russia, too. We saw them all. They have long been interested in the plan and the weapons used during the exercise,” the Belarusian leader added.
