The President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite will be able to change your opinion about exercises “West-2017″ when you get information about them from international observers. Such opinion expressed press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, reports the correspondent of”.ru” on Wednesday, September 20.
“A lot of international observers were present at the exercises, they received a comprehensive briefing on the objectives and plans of the maneuvers that were carried out, and could see firsthand that the exercise scenario consistent with the stated”, — said the representative of the Kremlin.
Yesterday during the General debate at the UN General Assembly Grybauskaite said that Moscow during the Russian-Belarusian exercises work out “scenarios of an attack on neighbouring countries”. In addition, in her opinion, the maneuvers are part of an information war aimed at “spreading uncertainty and fear.” A day earlier, she met with UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and informed him about the “aggressive nature” of the Russian-Belarusian exercises.
The President of Russia Vladimir Putin inspected the Russian-Belarusian exercises “West-2017” on the ground in the Luga in Leningrad region on September 18. The Minister of defence of Russia Sergey Shoigu reported to Putin about 95 representatives from 50 countries, watching the Russian-Belarusian exercises. “Interested in”, — responded the head of state.
Joint strategic maneuvers of Russia and Belarus “West-2017” held from 14 to 20 September. The exercise involved up to 12.7 thousand servicemen, up to 70 aircraft and helicopters, and 680 pieces of equipment. Similar joint exercise was conducted in 2009 and 2013.