Day: March 24, 2025

Russia and Belarus announced plans to hold a joint military exercise in September, officials confirmed Thursday. This exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the two neighboring allies to strengthen their military cooperation amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. 

The Zapad, or West, 2025 drill will involve over 13,000 troops, said Valery Revenko, a Belarusian defense official. He added that observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a top trans-Atlantic security and rights group, will be invited to monitor the drills, News.Az reports citing foreign media.

Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for over 30 years and has relied on Kremlin subsidies and support, allowed Russia to use his country’s territory to send troops into neighboring Ukraine in 2022 and to host some of its tactical nuclear weapons.

Russian troops rolled into Ukraine from Belarus on Feb. 24, 2022, after a joint drill with the Belarusian army. Ukraine and Belarus share a 1,084-kilometer (672-mile) border.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this month that a Russian military buildup in Belarus, which borders NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, could set the stage for a potential attack. Russia has repeatedly denied allegations that it could attack NATO members.

Revenko said that Belarus is open for mutual military inspections with Poland 80 kilometers (50 miles) deep into each other’s territory – something he said would signal Poland’s intention to pursue “good neighborly ties.”

“If Poland rejects or ignores such action, we will have a different opinion,” Revenko said.

Update: German military expert warns of possible “last summer of peace”.source Bild.

🇷🇺Russia and Belarus will hold a joint military exercise in September.

The Zapad, or West, 2025 drill will involve over 13,000 troops.

Experts believe that Russia will attack Lithuania in connection with that exercise.

Source: BILD pic.twitter.com/wQEdUvesKI

— WORLD AT WAR (@World_At_War_6) March 23, 2025

𝕎𝕆ℝ𝕃𝔻 𝔸𝕋 𝕎𝔸ℝ

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Greenland’s prime minister said a planned visit to the island by US officials, including second lady Usha Vance, is “highly aggressive,” plunging relations to a new low after President Donald Trump vowed to annex the autonomous Danish territory.

Vance, the wife of US Vice President JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this week to watch the island’s national dogsled race and “celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity,” according to a statement from the White House. National security adviser Mike Waltz is also expected to visit the territory this week, according to a source familiar with the trip.

Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede called the US delegation’s trip to the island “highly aggressive” in an interview with Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday, and raised particular objection to Waltz’s visit.

“What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us,” Egede said. “His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump’s mission — and the pressure will increase.”

The prime minister of Greenland has hit out at the US following the announcement that Second Lady Usha Vance and senior American officials will visit the island on Thursday. The administration of US President Donald Trump is pursuing control over the autonomous Danish territory and its resources.

Mute B. Egede described the upcoming trip – reportedly involving National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright – as part of “very aggressive American pressure” aimed at “taking over our country over our heads.”

In an interview with local newspaper Sermitsiaq on Sunday, Egede criticized Western nations for inadequately opposing the US, stating, “Our allies in the international community feel like hiding in a small corner and almost whisper their support, which has no effect.”

Denmark will not sell Greenland and will not allow any bribery attempts, despite threats from the U.S.

🇬🇱🇺🇸 Greenland is unhappy with the visit of JD Vance and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, the local Prime Minister called the move an "aggressive provocation"

Aa US military plane landed in Nuuk carrying four US government vehicles ahead of a visit on Thursday. https://t.co/4cfkXgGkOe pic.twitter.com/lei4QM2NV9

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) March 24, 2025

𝕃𝕠𝕣𝕕 𝔹𝕖𝕓𝕠

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