Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said that Poland and its allies are preparing a response to the upcoming Zapad-2025 military exercises by Russia and Belarus near the Polish border.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.Photo: Gov.pl, CC BY 3.0 PL , via Wikimedia Commons
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Tusk said the Zapad-2025 drills „are very aggressive because they simulate an attack, not defense.”
He added that NATO would hold its own maneuvers on Polish territory.
Tusk also said Warsaw may adopt „special measures” against Belarus in case of further „provocations.”
Russia and Belarus have officially said 13,000 troops will participate in Zapad-2025, scheduled for September 12–16.
German and Lithuanian officials, however, have offered higher estimates. Germany’s top military officer, Gen. Carsten Breuer, said last week about 13,000 personnel were expected in Belarus and roughly 30,000 in Russia, while Lithuanian officials suggested up to 30,000 in total.
Breuer added there were no signs of preparations for an attack on NATO territory under the cover of the drills, though German and NATO forces remain vigilant.
Zapad, which means „West” in Russian, is a series of large-scale exercises held regularly by Russia and Belarus.
Tusk also said European leaders were working to persuade Washington to „treat the Russian threat seriously” and maintain unity in support of Ukraine.
Referring to recent violations of Polish airspace, he warned that such „provocations” could have „very serious consequences,” including „kinetic action” by Polish air defence troops, a military term for the use of force.
He said he had discussed the airspace incidents and broader security concerns with Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
„We are acting cautiously and without emotion to avoid harm,” he said. „But Poland will respond very decisively to such provocations.”
Tusk also welcomed US President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that there would be no reduction of the American military presence in Poland.
He noted that US troops in Poland are backed by substantial Polish funding.
“Poland receives nothing for free,” he said, adding that Warsaw invests heavily in its own security and pays significant costs when hosting American forces.
His remarks followed a report in The Financial Times that the United States was considering limiting security funds for several European frontline states, including Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Poland was not listed among the countries facing possible cuts, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
