US military officers pay surprise visit to Belarus to observe war games with Russia

U.S. military officers observed joint war games between Russia and Belarus on Monday and were told by Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin that they could look at "whatever is of interest for you,” Reuters reported.

Russia and Belarus began the "Zapad-2025" exercise at training grounds in both countries on Friday.

The attendance of the Americans at a training ground in Belarus was presented by the country's defence ministry as a surprise, Reuters reported.

"Who would have thought how the morning of another day of the Zapad-2025 exercise would begin?" it said in a statement noting their presence among representatives from 23 countries including two other NATO member states - Turkey and Hungary.

The ministry released video showing two uniformed U.S. officers thanking Khrenin for the invitation and shaking his hand.

"We will show whatever is of interest for you. Whatever you want. You can go there and see, talk to people," Reuters quoted the minister as telling the Americans, who declined to speak to reporters.

The presence of the U.S. officers is the latest sign of warming ties between Washington and Belarus, according to Reuters.

The American defense attaché thanked Viktor Khrenin for the invitation to observe the Zapad 2025 army exercise, the Belarusian state news agency BelTA reported.