EU's von der Leyen urges response to hybrid warfare threats

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today (8 October) that Europe must strengthen its defenses to deter "hybrid warfare" following a series of air incursions, cyberattacks, and undersea cable damage.

"These incidents are calculated to linger in the twilight of deniability. This is not random harassment," she said in a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "It is a coherent and escalating campaign to unsettle our citizens, test our resolve, divide our union, and weaken our support for Ukraine."

The head of the European Commission said the time had come to call this campaign by its name, stating that it is "hybrid warfare."

"Two incidents are coincidence, but three, five, 10, this is a deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against Europe, and Europe must respond," von der Leyen stressed.

Although she did not say Russia was responsible for all the incidents, she did say that it was clear Russia's aim was to "sow division" in Europe. Some of the recent incidents have already been attributed to Moscow by European officials.

Russian air incursions menace the EU

Poland, Estonia and Romania have recently experienced unsettling Russian air incursions, while unidentified drones have been seen in Denmark, Germany, and Belgium.  

Now, the European Union is seeking to hammer out plans for joint projects that the 27-nation bloc could build, including a "wall" of anti-drone defenses. The European Commission is preparing a plan to help Europe confront such challenges by 2030.

At a summit in Brussels later this month, EU leaders will attempt to agree on a "road map" aimed at preparing the bloc to fend off Russian threats in the coming years. EU officials believe Russia could attack another European country within the next three to five years.

"We must not only react. We must deter because if we hesitate to act, the grey zone will only expand," von der Leyen said, adding that in order to tackle "Russia's hybrid war," Europe needs "a completely new mindset."

"The choice before us is very simple. We either can shy away and watch Russian threats escalate, or we meet them with unity, deterrence and resolve," she said.

Recently, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of conducting a "hybrid war" against Germany, saying Moscow's campaign extends beyond Ukraine to target all of Europe.