Skip next section Poland’s foreign minister arrives in Kyiv
September 12, 2025
Poland’s foreign minister arrives in Kyiv
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha received his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski in Kyiv.
Sybiha said they would discuss shared security, Ukraine’s EU and NATO accession and pressure on Russia.
“Against the backdrop of Russia’s escalation of terror against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly together,” Sybiha wrote on X.
Sybiha said they would discuss shared security, Ukraine’s EU and NATO accession and pressure on Russia.
“Against the backdrop of Russia’s escalation of terror against Ukraine and provocations against Poland, we stand firmly together,” Sybiha wrote on X.
https://p.dw.com/p/50NRw
Skip next section Russia, Belarus begin ‘Zapad 2025’ joint military exercise
September 12, 2025
Russia, Belarus begin ‘Zapad 2025’ joint military exercise
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the Russian and Belarusian armies have begun joint military exercises.
The maneuvers, under the name Zapad (“West” in Russian), come amid tensions with NATO countries, after Poland downed Russian drones in its airspace in what Warsaw called an “unprecedented” breach.
The drills are taking place from September 12 to 16 and were already scheduled before the drone incident on Wednesday.
Ahead of their start, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the excercises, including near the Belarusian-Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.
“The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops,” Moscow’s Defense Ministry said on Telegram.
The joint maneuvers involve tens of thousands of soldiers and have taken place every four years since 1977, mainly on Belarusian territory.
This year, soldiers are set to train on Russia’s new Oreshnik missiles, which can reportedly carry nuclear warheads, among other weapons.
The maneuvers, under the name Zapad (“West” in Russian), come amid tensions with NATO countries, after Poland downed Russian drones in its airspace in what Warsaw called an “unprecedented” breach.
The drills are taking place from September 12 to 16 and were already scheduled before the drone incident on Wednesday.
Ahead of their start, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the excercises, including near the Belarusian-Polish border, were not aimed against any other country.
“The objectives of the drills are to improve the skills of commanders and staffs, the level of co-operation and field training of regional and coalition groupings of troops,” Moscow’s Defense Ministry said on Telegram.
The joint maneuvers involve tens of thousands of soldiers and have taken place every four years since 1977, mainly on Belarusian territory.
This year, soldiers are set to train on Russia’s new Oreshnik missiles, which can reportedly carry nuclear warheads, among other weapons.
https://p.dw.com/p/50NQN
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage
September 12, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
The West is watching as Russia and Belarus launch their “Zapad-2025” joint military drills on Friday.
Later in the day, the UN Security Council is holding a meeting about the downed Russian drones over Poland.
We’re expecting more reaction from Western officials throughout the day. We’ll bring you here the latest headlines.
Later in the day, the UN Security Council is holding a meeting about the downed Russian drones over Poland.
We’re expecting more reaction from Western officials throughout the day. We’ll bring you here the latest headlines.
https://p.dw.com/p/50NQL
