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Poland to Shut Border With Belarus Amid Russia-Belarus Zapad Exercises, Citing Security Risks
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Poland will temporarily close its border with Belarus during the upcoming Zapad military exercises, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on September 9, Rzeczpospolita reported.
“The border will be shut down for the period of Zapad drills, with exceptions only for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons,” Tusk said, according to Rzeczpospolita. He emphasized that the decision was preventive and temporary, noting, “We are taking no chances when it comes to the security of our citizens.”
The Zapad exercises are large-scale joint maneuvers carried out by Russia and Belarus every four years. This year’s drills, expected to involve tens of thousands of troops, come against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and heightened NATO vigilance on its eastern flank. Warsaw has long expressed concern that the exercises could serve as cover for aggressive actions or provocations near allied borders.
Poland has already reinforced its eastern frontier with additional military units and coordinated with NATO allies to monitor the situation. According to officials, surveillance assets will be deployed along the border, and joint information-sharing mechanisms with neighboring Lithuania and Latvia will be intensified.
Polish Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Armed Forces remain on elevated alert during the preparations for Zapad. “Our forces are ready to respond to any potential incident,” a spokesperson told Polish media.
Belarusian authorities have not yet commented on Poland’s decision. Moscow has previously described the Zapad drills as routine, defensive in nature, and not directed against NATO.
Earlier, it was reported that Poland urged its citizens to leave Belarus amid espionage allegations during the Zapad-2025 exercises.
