‘When Will West Get It?’: Russia Raps EU’s ‘Absurd’ Concerns On India’s Participation In War Games

Last Updated:September 19, 2025, 13:51 IST

The remarks come shortly after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said participation in war drills and purchasing oil can impact ties.

India’s role in Russian–Belarusian military exercises drew sharp criticism from the EU, but Russia defended New Delhi’s sovereign choice. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

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.

“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.

General About the Author

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…

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