Tensions in Eastern Europe are rising again. Russia and its ally Belarus are holding massive military drills close to NATO’s borders. The exercises, known as Zapad-2025, are taking place on training grounds in both Russia and Belarus, as well as in the Baltic and Barents Seas. These moves come just days after Russian drones entered Poland’s airspace, forcing NATO jets to respond.
A delegation of U.S. officers, alongside representatives from Turkey and Hungary, attended the drills as observers. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov also joined them. In video released by Minsk, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryan Shoupe was seen meeting Belarusian officials and thanking them for the invitation in Russian.
According to the Pentagon, the U.S. Defense Attache accepted the invitation as part of the Distinguished Visitor Day program. “Attending exercise DV days is common between militaries,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell explained. He added that this was not the first time U.S. officials had observed a Zapad exercise.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump reacted cautiously to the drone incursions. At first, he dismissed them with bemusement. Later, he suggested that Russia’s actions might have been a mistake. Even so, European allies are urging Washington to take a stronger stance. In Romania, officials said another Russian drone crossed their border only days after the Poland incident.
Belarus, for its part, has taken steps to improve ties with Washington. After meeting senior U.S. envoy John Coale, President Alexander Lukashenko released 52 political prisoners. In response, the Trump administration announced it would ease sanctions on Belarus’ national airline, Belavia.
Despite these gestures, Moscow is showcasing serious firepower. Fighter jets bombed mock targets, while Russian warships launched Zircon hypersonic missiles in the Barents Sea.
Jets also flew missions carrying Kinzhal missiles, already used in Ukraine. Belarusian defense officials boasted that NATO was panicking. They argued that Poland’s 40,000 troops outnumbered the 6,800 Russian and Belarusian soldiers taking part.
In addition, Russia displayed its new Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles, now stationed in Belarus. Tanks and armored vehicles, equipped with drone protection, rolled out in the final stages of the drills.
As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted, Russia claims it remains open to dialogue. Yet, its actions suggest it is equally ready for prolonged conflict.
