Belarus and Russia are to continue their joint military exercises, meaning that Russian troops will not withdraw as previously announced, Belarusian Defence Minister Viktor Khrenin said on Sunday, amid growing fears of an invasion of Ukraine. The decision to extend the drills beyond Sunday intensifies pressure on Ukraine, as Western leaders and the NATO defence alliance warn of an imminent full-scale invasion by Russia. Khrenin said the troops would remain in Belarus due to rising tensions in Ukraine’s disputed Donbass region and “in connection with the increase in military activity near the e…