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“We’ll Show You Everything”: US Officers Observe Russian-Belarusian “Zapad-2025” Drills
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
American military officers observed the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises “Zapad-2025” in Belarus on September 15, according to Reuters.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin personally welcomed the US visitors, describing their presence as an “unexpected” development.
Addressing the officers, Khrenin stated: “We will show you everything that interests you. Whatever you wish. You can go there, take a look, talk to people.”
US military officers in Belarus. https://t.co/tRgK3mjLWP pic.twitter.com/xW3TpizyiE
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 15, 2025
A video released by the Belarusian Ministry of Defense showed two American officers in uniform thanking Khrenin and shaking his hand.
According to Reuters, the American officers were among representatives from 23 countries invited to observe the drills. NATO member states Hungary and Turkey also sent delegations.
The Belarusian defense ministry characterized the US visit as a surprise, highlighting it in official communications.
The “Zapad-2025” exercises, held between September 12 and 16 in Belarus, are part of a long-running series of joint drills between Moscow and Minsk.
According to earlier Ukrainian assessments, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in April that such exercises could serve as cover for potential threats from Belarusian territory. Belarusian officials later announced that the main maneuvers would be moved deeper inside the country “to reduce tensions.”
Russian troops began arriving in Belarus in early August to take part in the exercises. At the time, Ukraine’s border guard service noted that while it was difficult to determine the precise number of Russian personnel, their presence appeared limited.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, cautioned that the drills would be accompanied by a significant “wave of information escalation” starting September 12.
The presence of American officers at the exercises comes amid signs of warming ties between Washington and Minsk, according to Reuters.
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Last week, John Cole, a representative of US President Donald Trump, traveled to Minsk for talks with Alexander Lukashenko. Following the meeting, Lukashenko agreed to release 52 prisoners, including journalists and political opponents.
In response, the United States lifted sanctions on the Belarusian airline Belavia, allowing it to service and acquire components for its fleet, which includes Boeing aircraft.
Reuters also reported that the US is preparing to reopen its embassy in Minsk, which was closed in February 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
