BREST, Belarus – In a move that is sure to heighten tensions in Eastern Europe, China and Belarus began joint military exercises codenamed “Eagle Assault” on Monday, just kilometers from the border with NATO member Poland.
The 11-day drills, announced by the Belarusian defense ministry, will focus on “counter-terrorism missions” and “hostage rescue operations.” However, the timing and location – near the city of Brest on the Belarus-Poland border – have raised concerns about their true purpose.
“These exercises are about improving cooperation between our militaries,” said Major General Vadim Denisenko of Belarus. “The current situation in the world is complex, and we need to adapt to new forms and methods of warfare.”
Belarus has been a staunch ally of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine, allowing Moscow to use its territory as a staging ground for the invasion. Poland, a vocal supporter of Ukraine and a member of both NATO and the European Union, has been critical of Belarus’ actions.
The exercises come amidst a period of growing military cooperation between China and Belarus. Belarus recently joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a security bloc seen as a counterweight to Western institutions led by the United States. Leaders from both nations have also emphasized their shared opposition to “unilateral hegemony.”
NATO members have long accused Belarus of weaponizing migrants on its borders. The timing of the exercises, just ahead of NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit in Washington where bolstering support for Ukraine will be discussed, is likely to raise further concerns.
The world will be watching closely to see how these exercises unfold and what impact they have on regional security and the ongoing war in Ukraine.