European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the European Union must strengthen its defenses to counter Russia’s “hybrid warfare” tactics, which include air incursions, cyberattacks, and damage to undersea cables. Von der Leyen emphasized that these incidents are not random but rather a deliberate and targeted campaign to unsettle European citizens, test the EU’s resolve, divide the union, and weaken its support for Ukraine. She stressed that Europe needs to adopt a new mindset to tackle this threat, urging EU leaders to respond with unity, deterrence, and resolve.
The EU has been experiencing a surge in Russian airspace violations and drone sightings, with countries like Poland, Estonia, and Romania recently rattled by Russian air incursions. Unidentified drones have also been spotted in Denmark, Germany, and Belgium. Von der Leyen highlighted the need for the EU to develop a comprehensive plan to address these threats, including joint projects like a “wall” of anti-drone defenses. EU leaders are set to discuss a “road map” aimed at preparing the bloc to fend off Russian threats in the coming years.
The European Commission president emphasized that the EU’s founding mission is to preserve peace, and today, that means having the capacity to deter aggression and provocation. With European countries already increasing defense spending to post-Cold War highs, von der Leyen’s call for a robust response to Russia’s hybrid warfare signals a significant shift in the EU’s approach to security and defense.
