EU unveils new NATO-like mechanism against Russian hybrid threat, offers little new for Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a new EU mechanism to counter Russian hybrid threats during her annual State of the Union speech on September 15. She described the increasing number of Russian hybrid attacks on Europe as less and less hybrid and less and less threats. Von der Leyen revealed that she and the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, are working on a new European security strategy, expected in the fall, which will include a "counter-hybrid playbook" and a mechanism to flank NATO's Article 4 against incidents falling below armed aggression but threatening security.

NATO's Treaty contains Articles 4 and 5, with Article 4 requiring NATO countries to discuss threats and appropriate countermeasures, while Article 5 calls for collective defense. Von der Leyen proposed an "Emergency Security Protocol" for Europe, similar to NATO's Article 4, and a European Instrument for Strategic Enablers to scale up critical support assets and force multipliers such as air defense, strategic transport, and space and cyber security.

She also announced a new defense industry program for joint projects with Ukrainian companies, using remaining SAFE funds, and mentioned that Ukraine would be provided with U.S. Patriot missiles and a brief mention of providing humanitarian aid and hardening Ukraine's energy and heating supply. However, Ukraine was featured less prominently compared to previous years, and von der Leyen introduced very little that was entirely new, largely focusing on the EU's defense initiatives.