(ANSA) - TRIESTE - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is pleased with troops performance at Zapad 2017 army exercise with Russia, BelTA agency reports. Lukashenko made the statement during the inspection of the troops in the Borisovsky exercise area on 20 September: "The exercise went in line with the approved concept. Its goals have been reached. Training missions have been completed in a quality manner. Joint defence in conditions of modern challenges and security threats was practised at a decent level." The exercises allowed Russian and Belarusian troops to increase their combat abilities: "Commanding officers and staffs had some good practice planning actions of their troops. Strong skills and combat mastery were demonstrated by personnel of various army units, which belong to the regional military force," noted the president. (ANSA).