Poland will close its border with Belarus due to Russian-Belarusian military exercises Zapad 2025, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk stating the move is necessary for national security.
Poland to Close Border for Military Drills
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the country will close its border with Belarus on Wednesday night as a precautionary measure against military exercises Zapad 2025 being held on Belarusian territory. “As you know, on Friday, very aggressive Russian-Belarusian military exercises will begin on Belarusian soil, very close to the Polish border,” Tusk warned.
Maneuvers Target the Suwałki Corridor
The exercises, which will take place from September 11-17, are reportedly focused on the Suwałki Corridor, a strategically important region between Poland, Belarus, and Russia. Tusk noted that the exercises also come amid increasing Russian provocations, including cyber attacks and territorial incursions.
Gen. Polko Warns of Possible Attack Scenarios
General Roman Polko told Gazeta.pl that past Russian military exercises have often culminated in simulated attacks on European territory. “In one of the latest scenarios, Russian forces conducted a counterattack and occupied a stretch of land connected to the Kaliningrad Oblast through Lithuania,” Polko stated.