Belarus hosts US officials at joint Zapad drills with Russia
2 Min Read
Belarus invited US military officials to observe its joint drills with Russia, a rare move amid NATO tensions and Trump’s renewed outreach to President Lukashenko.
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Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin greets US military attaché Bryan Shoupe during the Zapad joint drills in Barysaw, Belarus (Screengrab, Belarus Mod)
Belarus opened its large-scale Zapad military exercises to US observers on Monday, a highly unusual step as tensions grow between Russia and NATO over the war in Ukraine.
During a visit to the training grounds in the city of Barysaw, east of Minsk, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin welcomed US military attaché Bryan Shoupe. "The best viewing seats will be provided for you," Khrenin told him, underscoring the openness of the event. Shoupe replied, "Thank you for the invitation," before the two shook hands.
US Military Attache at #Zapad25, via @MOD_BY . pic.twitter.com/ZFCx4faLWN
— Dmitry Stefanovich (@KomissarWhipla) September 15, 2025
According to Minsk, the maneuvers, which will conclude on Tuesday, involve about 7,000 soldiers, 6,000 Belarusian and 1,000 Russian. NATO members have expressed concern over the drills, particularly following reports that Russian drones had entered their airspace.
Observers from 22 other nations, among them NATO members Turkey and Hungary, were also present at the drills. Such visits by American representatives to Russian or allied exercises are extremely rare, particularly since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Read more: Poland deploys 40,000 troops ahead of Russia-Belarus Zapad drills
The unusual outreach coincides with efforts by US President Donald Trump to re-establish dialogue with Minsk. Since returning to office, he has spoken directly with President Alexander Lukashenko, dispatched envoys to Belarus, and urged the release of political detainees. More than 50 prisoners were freed last week, a move followed by partial sanctions relief from Washington on state-owned airline Belavia.
