Poland is set to completely close its border with Belarus, citing national security concerns over the upcoming joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises, codenamed “Zapad-2025.” The decision, announced by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, will take effect at midnight on Thursday, September 11, and will include all border crossings, including railway connections. Tusk called the maneuvers, which are scheduled to begin on Friday, September 12, “very aggressive from a military doctrine perspective” and noted that they would take place “very close to the Polish border.”
The Zapad exercises, which have been held every four years, have long been a source of concern for neighboring NATO member states like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The drills are viewed as a demonstration of Russian military capabilities and a potential rehearsal for aggressive actions against NATO’s eastern flank. This year, the exercises are particularly alarming, with reports from the Belarusian defense minister that the drills will include training on the use of nuclear weapons and the Russian-made, intermediate-range hypersonic Oreshnik missile.
The move to close the border is the latest in a series of escalations that have hit a new low since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Relations between Warsaw and Minsk have been strained for years, with Poland accusing Belarus of orchestrating a migrant crisis on its border as a form of “hybrid warfare.” The border has already been fortified with a steel wall, and Poland has closed most of its crossings with Belarus, leaving only two operational.
The decision has been met with a mixed reaction. While Polish and allied forces will hold their own exercises on the Polish side of the border in response to the Zapad drills, Belarusian authorities have not yet commented on Poland’s decision. However, Russia has previously described the Zapad exercises as routine and defensive in nature, not directed against NATO. Poland’s Foreign Ministry has called on its partners to “remain vigilant, to increase sanctions and political pressure on Russia and Belarus, to jointly counter Russian propaganda and strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.” The border closure, while temporary, is a clear signal that Poland is taking no chances and is willing to take strong, pre-emptive action to ensure its national security.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
