Stanislav Zas: Russian-Belarusian exercises are purely defensive

Russian-Belarusian exercises Union Resolve 2022 are purely defensive, said Stanislav Zas, Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, in an interview to the Belarusian TV channel STV.
According to TASS, Stanislav Zas emphasized that no one was interested in worsening relations between Russia and Ukraine, including other states of the region. “Nobody wants a war. Neither Russia, nor other countries of the region want it. We don’t need it here. Of course, there is a great risk of provocations. We should take it into account and avoid it,” said Stanislav Zas.
Talking about the upcoming exercises of the Union State forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation Union Resolve 2022, “which will now begin in the territory of Belarus, are purely defensive in nature.”
“This is an internal matter of Belarus and Russia, which are holding this exercise on their territory,” said the Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. However, said Stanislav Zas, one has to take into account the wariness and concerns that have been voiced [about these exercises]. “We need to add transparency and openness to these exercises. This will increase confidence,” the CSTO Secretary General noted.
The Belarus-Russia exercise Union Resolve 2022 will be held on 10–20 February in Belarus as part of the verification of the Union State's response forces.