US servicemen observed joint military maneuvers between Russia and Belarus today and Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin told them they could observe "everything they are interested in", Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Russia and Belarus began the "Zapad-2025" exercise on Friday amid tensions with NATO and two days after Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its airspace. The presence of Americans in Belarus was described by the Minister of Defense as surprising.
"Who could have guessed how each subsequent day of the "West-2025" exercise would begin?", he said in a statement regarding their presence along with representatives from a total of 23 countries, including two NATO members - Hungary and Turkey.
The ministry published a video recording showing two American soldiers in uniform thanking Khrenin for the invitation and shaking his hand. "We will show you everything you are interested in. Whatever you want. "You can go and see, talk to the people," the minister said, declining to speak to reporters.
The presence of US troops is another sign of rapprochement between Washington and Belarus, a close Russian ally that allowed Moscow to use its territory to invade Ukraine in 2022.
John Cole, a Trump representative, was in Minsk last week for talks with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who agreed to release 52 prisoners, including journalists and political opponents. In return, the US lifted sanctions on Belarus' national airline, Belavia, allowing it to service and buy components for its fleet, which includes Boeing planes.
Trump wants to reopen the US embassy in Belarus in the near future, normalize relations and restore economic and trade ties, Cole said. Trump, who is trying to broker an end to the war in Ukraine, has maintained closer ties with Lukashenko, who regularly holds talks with Putin. Last week, Trump sent Lukashenko a friendly, handwritten letter through Cole.