Zapad-2025 gained special significance with Vladimir Putin’s on-site presence. Wearing military attire and carrying a sidearm, he sent a clear message: defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and Belarus is a vital priority. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko also stressed the need for comprehensive drills, ranging from light weapons to nuclear warheads. Within this framework, the simulated deployment of the Orushnik missile system demonstrated that Moscow and Minsk are prepared for any potential threat.

The exercise combined both technical and operational dimensions with symbolic significance, underscoring Russia’s determination in deterrence and its readiness to respond to Western maneuvers.

A Direct Response to Western Escalation

While Europe and the United States claim to promote dialogue, in practice they have increased threats against Russia through military exercises and economic pressure. NATO’s Iron Defender exercise, involving over 60,000 troops in Poland and the establishment of a new command center in Eastern Europe, sent a clear message of intensified military encirclement. In addition, the European Commission has prepared new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors, while the U.S., for the first time under the Trump administration, approved sending weapons shipments to Ukraine. Under these circumstances, Zapad-2025 was not an offensive action but a deterrent and warning measure, signaling Moscow’s readiness to defend against any intervention.

Emerging Powers Converge in a New Order

A key feature of the recent exercise was the participation of countries such as Iran, India, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Congo, and Mali. The inclusion of this diverse group of nations clearly reflects an effort to establish a new, multipolar order. India officially stated that its goal was to strengthen defense cooperation and build mutual trust with Russia. Iran, through its participation, once again highlighted its strategic ties with Moscow and other Asian and African allies. This broad involvement demonstrated that the West is no longer the sole reference for global security, and multiple actors are seeking to create a sustainable balance through operational convergence against Western interventionism.

Implications for Global Security

Zapad-2025 should be seen as part of the emerging trend toward “non-Western collective security.” Unlike NATO, whose aggressive posture has increased insecurity in various regions, this exercise was designed around deterrence and convergence. The participation of Asian and African countries indicates that U.S. and European unilateralism is increasingly questioned, and nations are seeking alternatives for stable security. From this perspective, Zapad-2025 is not only a counterbalance to the West but also a step toward establishing a new order that, based on multipolar cooperation, can provide cohesion to regional and global security. The exercise sends a clear message for the future: the world is moving toward shared security responsibilities and a reduction of Western dominance.