European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described recent security incidents across several EU member states as part of a “hybrid war”, during her address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, responding to a question regarding recent violations of airspace and attacks on critical infrastructure.
At the start of her speech, von der Leyen referred to the alarming incidents, stating: “Something new and dangerous is happening in our skies. In just the past two weeks, fighter jets have violated Estonian airspace, and drones have flown over critical sites in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Denmark, and Germany.”
She warned of a “troubling pattern of increasing threats across our Union,” citing examples such as cut undersea cables, airports and logistics hubs paralyzed by cyberattacks, and elections targeted by disinformation campaigns.
“These incidents are designed to operate in the shadows of ambiguity. They are not random acts of harassment. They form a coherent and escalating campaign intended to unsettle our citizens, test our resolve, divide our Union, and weaken our support for Ukraine,” she emphasized.
Addressing those who might call these events coincidences, von der Leyen was categorical: “This is a deliberate and targeted campaign in the grey zones against Europe. And Europe must respond. We must investigate every incident and must not hesitate to attribute responsibility. Every square inch of our territory must be protected.”
The Commission President pointed directly to Russia as being behind these operations, saying that “it seeks to sow discord. We respond with unity.” She stressed that confronting the Russian hybrid threat “is not only about traditional defense.”
Photo: Elena Apostolidou / AMNA / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
