EU seeks hybrid threat playbook without duplicating NATO

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that European ministers wished to develop a hybrid threat playbook that complements NATO protocols, rather than duplicating them, at a press conference in Brussels. Kallas stated that the objective is to achieve synergy between the EU and NATO efforts, rather than creating additional protocols.

The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed the "emergency security protocol" in mid-September, aiming to facilitate swift coordination among member states when dealing with hybrid threats. This protocol would be part of the Security Strategy, which is set to be published by the end of the year.

Unlike NATO's Article 4, which only requires consultation when an ally's security is threatened, the EU's emergency protocol would outline the tools available to respond to aggression that falls short of armed conflict and does not trigger the collective defense principle of Article 5. Kallas highlighted that the EU's protocol does not entail any new pledges, such as supplying Ukraine with Patriot interceptor missiles.

Khalas mentioned that member states and allies could utilize the opportunity to provide Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine from their stockpiles to counter Russian airborne threats. However, she clarified that no new pledges were made regarding the supply of these missiles during the meeting. Spain and Greece have been approached by Brussels to donate interceptors from their arsenals, but both countries have declined, citing security concerns.