‘When Will West Get It?’: Russia Raps EU’s ‘Absurd’ Concerns On India’s Participation In War Games
By News18,Shankhyaneel Sarkar
Copyright news18
Russia appeared to accuse the European Union and other western powers for trying to pressure India over participating in the ongoing ‘Zapad’ joint military drills with Belarus.
Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow valued New Delhi’s decision to participate in the exercise and rejected the criticism levelled against India from the European Union and NATO.
Her remarks come shortly after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed concern over India’s participation. Kallas was reacting to the news of a 65-member contingent of Indian armed forces participating in the Zapad exercise in Belarus.
“Participating in military exercises, purchases of oil – all these are obstacles to our cooperation when it comes to deepening the ties,” Kallas said, adding that Brussels did not expect India to “completely decouple” from Russia.
The EU, which has 27 member states, is negotiating a free trade agreement with India and hopes to finalise it by late 2025.
⚡️?????? RIDICULOUS West Pressuring India for Taking Part in #Zapad2025 Drills in Belarus – Russian MFA Spox Zakharova pic.twitter.com/22dIKEg6eb
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) September 19, 2025
“The solid foundation of the Russian–Indian ‘specially privileged strategic partnership’ rests on mutual respect, equality, consideration of each other’s interests, and very importantly our shared aspiration to promote a unifying, non-confrontational agenda on the international stage,” Zakharova was quoted as saying by Russia’s state-run RT.
“In terms of military and military-technical cooperation, which has deep-rooted traditions, it has never been aimed against third countries. We welcome New Delhi’s participation in the Russian–Belarusian exercises. Any so-called concerns expressed from outside are unfounded and deliberately contrived. Essentially, this represents yet another attempt to exert pressure on our Indian friends, to discourage them from cooperating and engaging with Russia,” she further added.
