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Lukashenko explains reasons behind changes in Belarusian-Russian army exercise Zapad 2025 parameters

 MINSK, 1 July (BelTA) – Parameters of the upcoming exercise Zapad 2025 [West 2025] of the Armed Forces of the Union State of Belarus and Russia have been adjusted. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during a solemn assembly held on 1 July in anticipation of Independence Day, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “You know that a series of wargames Defender Europe 2025 is taking place on our doorstep. The scale and the proximity to the military exercise is intimidating: 25,000 NATO military personnel according to their own statements and about 3,000 units of weaponry and materiel literally 10-15km away from our border. It is not even within the distance of one rush. It is practically in our land. And we see these ‘defenders’ with an offensive scenario in all their glory. And we are not going to respond to the aggressive demonstration of force. We are doing everything to reduce tensions in the region.”

The head of state said that this is why a decision had been made to change parameters of the Zapad 2025 [West 2025] exercise of the Armed Forces of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “We’ve reduced the number of personnel practically by half. We’ve relocated their emplacement location deep into our territory. By hundreds of kilometers away from the border,” the president stated.

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