**Russia’s Military Buildup in Belarus Raises Concerns**
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has issued a warning that Russia is preparing for potential military aggression under the guise of joint exercises with Belarus this summer. Speaking at the Three Seas Summit, Zelensky said: “Look at Belarus — this summer, Russia is preparing something there under the guise of military exercises. This is how its new attacks usually start.”
The Zapad 2025 (West 2025) military exercises are scheduled to take place in Belarus, involving Russian forces and a large number of participants. The most recent iteration, Zapad-2021, saw over 200,000 participants and served as a prelude to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Belarus’ strategic location, bordering Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia, makes it a key corridor between NATO and Moscow. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has previously stated that the upcoming Zapad exercises could enable Russia to covertly assemble offensive forces under the guise of drills.
“This is a classic tactic used by Russian forces,” said Zelensky. “We have to be prepared for any scenario, including an escalation of military actions beyond Ukraine.”
**Russia’s Aggressive Behavior Continues**
Zelensky has repeatedly cautioned that Russia may escalate military actions beyond Ukraine. In February, he stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to deploy up to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus, suggesting a possible buildup for future offensives against NATO countries.
Tensions between NATO and Moscow have intensified following Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. Western leaders and intelligence agencies have warned of a risk of a larger war in Europe within the next five years, pointing to Russia’s growing militarization and hostile posture.
**Ukraine Under Attack**
Meanwhile, Ukrainian cities continue to be targeted by Russian forces. In recent days, there have been 16 strikes on Kharkiv, with a high-rise apartment block hit along with private residences, a medical facility, and civil infrastructure. The number of casualties has increased significantly since the last update in mid-April.
**International Community Calls for Peace**
The international community is urging Russia to end its war against Ukraine. US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated: “Under Donald Trump’s presidency, if you come to our country and break our laws, you will be held accountable.”
France has brought charges against the GRU’s APT28 unit, based in Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia. The EU does not rule out “decoupling” Moldova’s accession process from that of Ukraine due to Hungary’s opposition.
**Conclusion**
The situation on the ground remains dire, with Ukrainian cities under attack and the international community calling for peace. As President Zelensky warned: “Russia could stop the killing and the bombing at any time, so there’s absolutely no need to wait until the 8th of May.” The world is watching with bated breath as this situation unfolds.
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**Sources:**
* kyivindependent.com
* national police.gov.ua
* ukrinform.net
* lb.ua
* rbc.ru
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