STRASBOURG (Reuters) -Latest drone incidents and different airspace violations present Europe is dealing with hybrid warfare to which it should reply with measures that transcend conventional defence, EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Wednesday.
“This isn’t random harassment,” von der Leyen stated in a speech in European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“It’s a coherent and escalating marketing campaign to unsettle our residents, take a look at our resolve, divide our Union, and weaken our assist for Ukraine. And it’s time to name it by its identify. That is hybrid warfare.”
Von der Leyen didn’t say Russia was accountable for all of the incidents however stated it was clear Russia’s goal is to “sow division” in Europe.
European officers have already attributed a few of the latest incidents to Moscow.
“Tackling Russia’s hybrid conflict just isn’t solely about conventional defence,” von der Leyen stated. “This requires a brand new mind-set for all of us. We will both draw back and watch Russian threats escalate, or we meet them with unity, deterrence and resolve.”
(Reporting by Bart Meijer, Andrew Grey, Enhancing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)
