The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has issued a warning to the Belarusian authorities regarding possible provocations during the upcoming joint military exercises with the Russian Federation, named ‘West-2025’.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine Calls for Caution and Cooperation
In a statement released on August 22, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the need for the Belarusian leadership to exercise prudence during the exercises. The Ukrainian side highlighted that it remembers past experiences: in 2021-2022, the buildup of Russian military forces near the Ukrainian borders occurred under the guise of joint maneuvers, which preceded the large-scale invasion.
“We remember the bitter experience and the cost of the deceitful statements from the Russian and Belarusian dictators. The accumulation of Russian troops at Ukraine’s borders in 2021-2022 took place under the cover of the joint military exercises of Russia and Belarus, ‘Zapad-2021’. We warn Minsk against reckless provocations, advise them to maintain prudence, stay away from the borders, and not provoke the Ukrainian Defense Forces,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called on international partners to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and Belarus, as well as to enhance support for Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The ministry emphasized that Kyiv poses no threat to the Belarusian people and seeks peaceful coexistence within the European community.
Details of the ‘West-2025’ Exercises and Minsk’s Position
It is known that on August 12, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced the conduct of joint exercises with the Russian Federation from September 12 to 16, named ‘West-2025’. The main objective of the maneuvers is declared to be the verification of the capabilities of Belarus and the Russian Federation to ensure security and repel possible aggression. The exact number of participants in the exercises has not yet been disclosed.
Initially, the Belarusian authorities emphasized the planned and regular nature of such exercises. However, recently the rhetoric has changed: the country’s leadership increasingly claims that the organization of the exercises is a response to the “militarization” of neighboring countries, particularly Poland and the Baltic states.