Poland, Lithuania, Latvia Close Borders, Airspace Amid Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 Exercises

Amid the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise Zapad-2025, Poland has closed its border with Belarus indefinitely, citing security concerns and the presence of up to 40,000 troops near the border. The closure aims to prevent provocations linked to the maneuvers, which Russia and Belarus describe as routine but which Poland and Lithuania view as aggressive. Lithuania has kept its remaining border crossings open to avoid hardship for EU citizens but retains the authority to close them immediately if provocations occur. Latvia has also closed its airspace along its eastern borders with Russia and Belarus for at least a week, following incursions of Russian drones into Polish airspace, and has heightened its military alert during ongoing exercises. Both Poland and Lithuania are conducting their own military drills alongside NATO allies in response to the perceived threat, while Belarus has pledged transparency and warned it will respond to any aggression. These developments reflect escalating tensions in the region as NATO allies bolster defenses amid fears of potential provocations during the Zapad-2025 exercises.