Military exercises involving troops from Russia, Serbia and Belarus are due this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has said.

Shoigu made the announcement after meeting his Serbian counterpart Bratislav Gasic on Saturday.

Russian daily Kommersant quotes Shoigu as saying "much importance" is placed on the drill which will be titled "Slavic Brotherhood - 2015".

For his part Gasic said he would be "happy" to attend the maneuvers.

Earlier, Moscow also agreed with China that the two countries would hold joint maneuvers in the Sea of Japan.

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