Can a European Security Council help the EU fight Russia’s hybrid attacks?

A new European Security Council could help the EU counter Russia's hybrid attacks. This potential body would bring together EU leaders and invited partners like the UK, Norway, Ukraine, and Canada. The proposal consists of three linked parts: a standing leaders' forum, an Emergency Security Protocol, and a funding instrument for shared capabilities like air defense.

The most relevant part for hybrid threats would be the Emergency Security Protocol. This would allow any member state to convene the entire group when it feels its security is threatened, similar to NATO's Article 4. This could help EU member states move more quickly from national reactions to a common European response, incorporating both military and non-military instruments.

However, creating this body faces challenges. First, there's the issue of unanimity required for sanctions. Second, intelligence is fragmented among member states, making it hard to swiftly attribute attacks. Third, there's no consensus on whether low-level attacks like sabotage should trigger a collective response.

Some analysts argue that the body, while improving coordination, is not a decision-making entity per se. Its primary value lies in fostering cross-policy coherence, helping the EU think more strategically about its toolbox of sanctions, spending, etc.

The most contentious issue is defining what constitutes a "grave" hybrid attack. The EU's mutual assistance clause (Article 42.7) could help here, but common rules for assessing these attacks are needed. This is crucial because Russia often exploits uncertainty to complicate attribution and delay a collective response.

In summary, while the proposed European Security Council could enhance coordination and provide an earlier political response to hybrid threats, significant hurdles remain. The body's effectiveness will depend on overcoming these obstacles and establishing clear, common rules for responding to hybrid attacks.