BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – NATO plans to send two experts to attend Russia-Belarus joint military exercises Zapad-2017 (West-2017), slated for September 14-20, NATO Spokeswoman Oana Lungescu told Sputnik Wednesday.
"Belarus and Russia have each invited military representatives to attend Visitors’ Days on their respective territories during ZAPAD 2017. NATO will send two experts to attend the Visitors’ Days in Belarus. NATO has now assessed Russia’s invitation and we are going to send an expert to its Visitors’ Day," Lungescu said.
On Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recalled that NATO had accepted Belarus’ invitation to visit the drill for several days although the alliance had not decided whether to accept the Russian side’s invitation as it implied attendance, but not observation of the exercises.
