20 Sep 2017 14:39

Lukashenko says he, Putin agreed in advance to watch Zapad 2017 separately

MINSK. Sept 20 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to observe the joint Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad (West) 2017 separately.

"The presidents of Belarus and Russia, Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, decided in advance to take part in Zapad 2017 separately," the BelTA news agency said, citing a statement by Lukashenko, who is watching the exercise's final stage on Wednesday.