“Russia has never threatened anyone”: Putin’s spokesman defends Zapad drills

The Kremlin tried to ease fears in Europe as its Zapad-2025 military drills got underway.

Kremlin pauses to calm fears over Zapad-2025

Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told reporters that Russia “does not threaten any European countries” and “has never threatened anyone.”

The statement came after NATO states expressed alarm at the scale and location of the exercises.

Peskov quotes Putin: “Russia never threatened anyone”

Peskov repeated Putin’s earlier line that Moscow has no aggressive intentions toward Europe.

He argued that Western nations are reacting emotionally, interpreting the drills as threats when, according to the Kremlin, they are purely defensive in nature.

NATO blamed for moving toward Russia’s borders

The Kremlin insisted that it is NATO, not Russia, that has escalated the situation.

“It was not Russia that advanced toward Europe with its military infrastructure, but Europe as part of NATO that advanced to our borders,” Peskov said.

He accused the alliance of confrontation rather than promoting peace and stability.

Poland closes border with Belarus after drone incursions

The Zapad-2025 drills come as tensions rise in Poland, which reported that Russian drones had crossed its airspace.

Warsaw called it an “act of aggression,” requested NATO consultations, and moved to close its border with Belarus.

These incidents added weight to fears about the timing of Russia’s war games.

Drills staged close to NATO territory

The exercises are being conducted on training grounds in Borisov, near Minsk, just 450 kilometers from the Polish border.

Their declared goal is to strengthen the joint Russia-Belarus “Union State” against what Moscow describes as the NATO threat.

Nuclear and hypersonic weapons included in scenarios

Belarusian military officials confirmed that the maneuvers include simulated use of tactical nuclear weapons and hypersonic Oreshnik ballistic missiles.

These weapons are designed to hit targets deep inside Europe within minutes, intensifying concerns among NATO members.

Naval exercises in the Baltic and Barents Seas

In addition to land-based drills, the Zapad-2025 maneuvers include large-scale naval activity.

Frigates and submarines are taking part in exercises in both the Baltic and Barents Seas, extending the display of military force across Northern Europe.

Kremlin says foreign observers once monitored drills

Peskov reminded journalists that Zapad exercises had always drawn attention from neighboring states, but before the war foreign officials were allowed to observe them directly.

Now, with relations severed, he argued that Europe’s suspicions are based on hostility rather than facts.