NATO will strengthen its presence in the east during Russia's military exercises in Belarus. - Hodges NATO will strengthen its presence on the eastern flank during the Russian-Belarussian exercises West-2017. This was stated by the commander of the ground forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, transmits Channel 5. Hodges did not rule out the likelihood of Russia's invasion of the Baltic countries and assured that NATO was ready to respond. During the West-2017 exercise on the territory of Belarus in September, in which more than 100,000 troops will take part, NATO will conduct its exercises in Ukraine, Sweden and Poland. "When Russia conquered the Crimea, it happened against the backdrop of military exercises." When the Russians entered Georgia, there were also exercises, and I would not rule out such a development in connection with these exercises. But NATO is professionals, we are all working to have the highest The level of readiness during such exercises, "- said Hodges. In May, NATO's largest international military exercise, code-named Kevadtorm-2017 (Spring Storm-2017) was held in Estonia.