The issue of the possibility of deploying Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in Belarus will be decided from the point of view of expediency within the framework of ensuring the security of the two countries. This was announced on September 13 at a briefing by the press secretary of the Russian leader Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov noted that he could not name the delivery dates of the S-400 to Belarus.
"This is a question of expediency from the point of view of ensuring the joint security interests of two states and one Union State. The management will make the appropriate decision, " Peskov said.
The Kremlin representative added that Russia and Belarus intend to continue joint military exercises and military-technical cooperation in the future.
"Joint military exercises are a normal process. As you know, these are not the first exercises of this kind, they have been held before. This is an ongoing process, which, of course, will continue. And the process of improving the skills and training of both the Russian and Belarusian Armed Forces will have its constant continuation, " Peskov said on Monday.
The Kremlin added that the topic of military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Minsk is constantly discussed, contacts in this area will continue.
On September 12, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Minsk intends to buy S-400 from Moscow. According to him, Minsk intends to purchase Russian weapons for more than $1 billion. A lot of time was devoted to defense and security issues at the talks in the Kremlin with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The issue of the supply of S-400 air defense systems was also touched upon, Lukashenko stressed.
On Monday, September 13, the main stage of the joint exercises of the Armed Forces of Russia and Belarus "West-2021"started at the Mulino training ground in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Military personnel from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and India are also involved in the maneuvers. During the exercise, among other things, military scenarios are being worked out to repel the attack of a conditional enemy and to deliver a retaliatory fire strike.
It is expected that the main stage of the exercises will be visited by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
About 200 thousand military personnel, more than 80 aircraft and helicopters, up to 760 units of military equipment, including more than 290 tanks, more than 240 guns, multiple rocket launchers and mortars, as well as up to 15 ships participate in the strategic exercises "West-2021". The troops are training at five training grounds in Belarus and nine in Russia, in the Baltic Sea.
The Zapad-2021 exercises are the final stage of joint training of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation this year. They will last until September 16.
