Recent incidents with drones and other airspace violations show that Europe is facing a hybrid war, to which it must respond with measures that go beyond traditional defense. This was stated by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, quoted by "Reuters".
"This is not random harassment", she stressed in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
"This is a consistent and escalating campaign to disturb our citizens, test our resolve, divide our Union and weaken our support for Ukraine. And it is time to call it by its name. This is hybrid warfare," von der Leyen declared.
She said Russia was responsible for all the incidents, but stressed that it was clear that Russia's goal was to "sow division" in Europe.
European officials have already attributed some of the recent incidents to Moscow.
"Countering Russia's hybrid warfare is not just a matter of traditional defense," von der Leyen said. "It requires a new way of thinking for all of us. We can either stand back and watch Russian threats escalate, or we can meet them with unity, deterrence and determination."