The Pentagon confirmed the US's participation in a military exercise conducted by Russia and Belarus

For the first time since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the US Army officially observed the joint military exercise between Russia and Belarus called “West 2025.” Two US military attachés participated in the so-called “Days of Distinguished Visitors” (DV Day) in Belarus on Monday.

The Pentagon said the invitation was made in connection with the recent improvement in bilateral relations. Although this is common practice among armies, it is a symbolically powerful gesture for the US – just one week after Poland shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace.

Observers speculate that the Trump administration is either trying to weaken Minsk's ties to Moscow or to use its relations with Lukashenko to broker an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.

In response to the US measures, Belarus released 52 prisoners, including journalists and political opponents, prompting Trump to lift sanctions against the national airline Belavia.

(reuters, mja)