Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002423/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liudas Mažylis (PPE)
According to information from various countries’ defence authorities, a joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise ‘Zapad 2025’ is scheduled to take place this autumn. Previous ‘Zapad’ exercises were characterised by significant build-ups of military forces near NATO’s eastern borders, including direct simulations of attacks on the Baltic states and Poland. According to official sources, around 13 000 troops are expected to take part in ‘Zapad 2025’. However, experts and intelligence analysis suggest that the actual numbers could be significantly higher. In view of the current geopolitical situation, this year’s exercise could feature even more brazen provocations, including scenarios involving the use of tactical nuclear weapons and ‘accidental’ incursions by military forces into EU territory. At the same time, there is a risk that the exercise could be used as cover for an actual military escalation.
Could the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.Is the Commission closely monitoring the situation and plans for the upcoming ‘Zapad 2025’ exercise?
- 2.What preventive measures are planned to ensure the security of the EU’s external borders and reduce the risk of military incidents at the eastern border?
- 3.How does the Commission intend to bolster the EU’s resilience to attacks against information systems stemming from the ‘Zapad 2025’ exercise, in particular in Eastern European countries, where the risk of exposure to disinformation is heightened?
Submitted: 16.6.2025