The Pentagon does not consider Russia an enemy, said US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby.
"No one [in the Pentagon] calls Russia an enemy, you did that, but that's not the definition we would use for Russia, "he said at a briefing on May 26, commenting on the exercises of Serbia and Russia, which one of the journalists called the" enemy " of NATO.
Speaking about the maneuvers of the Russian Federation and Serbia, which is a member of the NATO Partnership for Peace program, Kirby stressed that he does not have any details on this matter.
"I would like these two independent countries to discuss these exercises and their bilateral relations themselves," the spokesman said.
The Pentagon official also added that the United States appreciates Serbia's participation in the Partnership for Peace program.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on May 25 that the servicemen of the engineering troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation arrived in Serbia to participate in the exercises, which will last until June 11.
Serbia, which formally wants to join the European Union, declared military neutrality in 2006 and joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program. Serbia's leadership opposes membership in the Western military alliance, although most of its neighbors are members of NATO.
From 20 to 25 May, anti-terrorist tactical exercises were held in Serbia. Special forces units of Russia and Serbia took part in them. From Russia, about 200 military personnel and 11 pieces of military equipment participated in the maneuvers.
