Strasbourg (Reuters) – The recent incidents with unmanned aircraft and other airspace rapes show that Europe faces a hybrid war to which it must respond with measures that go beyond the traditional defense, said the president of the EU commission on Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen.
“This is not random harassment,” said Von der Leyen in a speech in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“It is a coherent and increasing campaign to disturb our citizens, to test our determination, divide our union and weaken our support to Ukraine. And it is time to call it by its name. This is a hybrid war.”
Von der Leyen did not say that Russia was responsible for all incidents, but said it was clear that Russia’s goal is to “sow division” in Europe.
European officials have already attributed some of the recent incidents to Moscow.
“Addressing Russia’s hybrid war is not just a traditional defense,” said Von der Leyen. “This requires a new mentality for all of us. We can get away and see how Russian threats increase, or face them with unity, deterrence and determination.”
(Bart Meijer report, Andrew Gray, edited by Charlotte Van Campehout)
(Tagstotranslate) Ursula von der Leyen