"Who could have imagined that a new day within the framework of the Zapad-2025 exercise would begin like this? The handshake between a Belarusian official and American officers at the training ground was truly an impressive moment," the Belarusian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on 15/9.
A video released by the ministry shows two US officers thanking Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin for inviting them to observe the Zapad-2025 exercise and shaking his hand.
"We will show you anything you are interested in and want to see. You can go there, look, and talk to anyone," Minister Khrenin said.
The US is one of 23 countries that sent representatives to observe the exercise, including two other NATO members: Hungary and Turkey, according to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense.
The Zapad-2025 joint exercise between Russia and Belarus took place from 12-16/9 at training grounds in both countries, as well as in the Baltic and Barents Seas. This activity comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO following Poland's accusation that a series of Moscow's unmanned aircraft violated its airspace.
Two US officers shake hands with Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin on 15/9. Video: Belarusian Ministry of Defense
According to Reuters, the presence of US officers in Belarus signals warming relations between Washington and Minsk. Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has been subjected to Western sanctions for allowing Moscow to use its territory to deploy tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in early 2022.
John Coale, a representative of former US President Donald Trump, visited Minsk last week to meet with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko subsequently agreed to release 52 prisoners, including journalists and political opponents, in exchange for the US easing sanctions against Belavia, Belarus's national airline.
This will allow the airline to maintain and purchase parts for its aircraft, including those manufactured by Boeing.
Coale said Trump also wants to reopen the US embassy in Belarus in the near future, normalize bilateral relations, and restore economic and trade cooperation with the country.
Building closer ties with Lukashenko appears to be part of Trump's efforts to mediate the conflict in Ukraine, as Lukashenko is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the two communicate regularly.
Pham Giang (According to Reuters)
