Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, February 18, following talks in Moscow with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, pointed to the defensive nature of the ongoing Russian-Belarusian exercises "Allied Resolve – 2022".
"Together, we highly appreciated the exercises "Allied Resolve — 2022", the active phase of which will last in Belarus until February 20. I must state that these exercises are purely defensive in nature and do not threaten anyone," Putin said.
The Head of State noted that the exercises are transparent and take place under the gaze of military attaches and the press. The President also announced an agreement with Lukashenko to continue to increase military cooperation against the backdrop of increasing NATO activity near the borders.
In addition, Putin said that the sanctions of a number of states against Russia and Belarus are aimed at complicating the situation in both countries.
"In the credit and financial sphere, joint measures are being taken to level and minimize the consequences of illegitimate sanctions of some countries aimed at complicating the socio-economic situation in both our countries," the Russian leader concluded.
The joint Russian-Belarusian exercises "Allied Resolve - 2022" started on February 10. They are aimed at checking the reaction forces of the Union State. The maneuvers take place at combined-arms training grounds in Belarus. The exercises are arranged for high-quality testing of tasks "to suppress and repel external aggression during a defensive operation, as well as to counter terrorism and protect the interests of the Union State."
Some of the maneuvers have already been completed, after which the Russian units returned to their permanent locations. The maneuvers will be fully completed on February 20.
On February 17, Lukashenko visited the Osipovichsky training ground to observe the Belarusian-Russian exercises. The President got acquainted with the operation of the joint group of missile forces, which includes the Belarusian multiple rocket launchers "Polonaise" and the Russian operational-tactical missile systems "Iskander".
On February 15, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said that Russia and Belarus do not consider any state as a potential enemy during joint military exercises. According to him, the command and control systems of Russia and Belarus "are very clearly interfaced."
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei clarified on February 16 that all Russian military and equipment will leave the republic after the end of joint maneuvers.
