EU ministers plan hybrid threat response amid warnings of Russian sabotage
EU foreign ministers are meeting on Monday to strengthen the bloc’s response to hybrid attacks, as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warns that Russia is planning further sabotage across Europe.
EU ministers convened in Brussels to devise a strategy for combating Russian sabotage and hybrid attacks across the continent. The bloc's foreign ministers are drafting a "emergency security protocol" aimed at swift coordination among member states when a potential threat is detected. EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for vigilance, noting that Russian intelligence suggests more sabotage is planned.
The mechanism, spearheaded by Kallas and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would form part of a broader security structure and be triggered by a member state upon identifying a hybrid threat. The protocol is designed to address incidents that do not constitute armed aggression but still necessitate a response. Recent incidents, such as a Russian aircraft breaching Finnish airspace over the Gulf of Finland, highlight the urgency of the situation.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen called for stronger coordination and greater measures to counter such activities, stressing the need for additional funding and joint procurements. Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson warned that Russia is attempting to intimidate Ukraine's allies through hybrid attacks, urging further sanctions and support for Kyiv.
Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem highlighted the priority of continuing to aid Ukraine, regardless of Russian threats and sabotage efforts. The ministers also plan to discuss the EU's first Defence Readiness Report, which warns that the bloc is not rearming swiftly enough to defend against potential Russian aggression by 2030.
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