13:33 16-09-2025

Lukashenko: Zapad-2025 drills are routine, not a threat

Belarusian President Lukashenko stressed that Zapad-2025 drills with Russia are routine and defensive, dismissing Western claims of a threat as political rhetoric.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the joint Belarus-Russia drills «Zapad-2025» are strictly routine and carry no threat to Western countries, BelTA reported. He stressed that the purpose of the maneuvers is to train troops for a wide range of combat scenarios.

Speaking at a state awards ceremony in Minsk on September 16, Lukashenko explained that the exercises, currently underway on Belarusian territory, were scheduled in advance and include everything from small arms training to nuclear-related drills. He underlined that Minsk does not view the maneuvers as a tool of pressure against its neighbors. According to him, claims of a «threat» are used by others merely to justify their own actions and mislead their populations.

Commenting on regional tensions, Lukashenko said that over time Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia would understand the real reasons behind the current situation. He added that Poland in particular has sought to portray the drills as aggressive, while Belarus maintains they are defensive in nature.

Polish media recently reported that Warsaw intends to deploy around 40,000 troops to the border with Belarus. Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said the move was a direct response to the «Zapad-2025» exercises, which Poland views as offensive in character.