European Union (EU) leader Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday emphasized the importance of responding to Russia's "hybrid warfare" by openly acknowledging the threat and preventing future provocations. The President of the EU Commission noted that over the past two weeks, Russian drones and military aircraft have violated the airspace of six European countries, leading to jet fighters being scrambled, commercial flights being grounded, and posing a direct threat to EU citizens.
Redaksiya reports that von der Leyen, speaking in the EU Parliament, said, "One incident can be a mistake. Two incidents can be a coincidence." "But three, five, 10 – this is a deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against Europe, and Europe must respond." The EU leader stated that these aerial threats were the latest in a series of kinetic and non-kinetic Russian attacks targeting underwater cables, airports, logistics centers, and elections across the continent, both through direct force and cyber threats.
Von der Leyen said, "These incidents are calculated to remain in a deniable darkness." "This is not random harassment. This is a consistent and escalating campaign to unsettle our citizens, test our resolve, divide our unity, and weaken our support for Ukraine, and it's time to call it what it is. This is hybrid warfare, and we must take it very seriously," she added. Von der Leyen stated that much work has already been done to address Russia's escalating aggression, including mobilizing approximately $930 billion in defense spending by 2030 – which, according to her, is "the largest increase in defense spending in the Union's history." However, the EU leader indicated that more work needs to be done, including fostering "a new mindset" among the public regarding EU security.
Von der Leyen said, "Fighting Russia's hybrid warfare is not just about traditional defense; it's about software for drones. It's about spare parts for pipelines. It's about rapid cyber response teams, and it's about public information campaigns to spread awareness." "We must be ready to leave our comfort zone." Countries like Germany are already taking new measures to counter Russia's grey zone tactics, and on Wednesday, German lawmakers paved the way for local police forces to be allowed to shoot down drones. The plan, defended on Wednesday by German Chancellor Frederik Mertz, still needs to pass parliamentary approval, but regarding drone sightings in Munich