Bulgaria is hosting NATO exercises with the participation of the member states of the Alliance, including Armenia.

Saber Guardian maneuvers kicked off on Friday and will be held not far from Novo Selo settlement in Bulgaria's east.

The maneuvers brought together around 700 troops from 12 NATO member states and partners, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine and other states, AP reported.

U.S. Army Europe spokesman Jesse Granger said the maneuvers were planned before the Ukrainian crisis.