Europe: don't fear Russian threats, tackle them

The EPP Group wants a stronger European response to hybrid attacks against EU member states and critical infrastructure, with real consequences for those responsible, insists Rasa Juknevičienė MEP who authored the report on hybrid warfare. The report is debated on Tuesday in a joint debate on hybrid attacks against the EU Member States and will  be voted on Wednesday.  

"Russia remains the primary threat to Europe," Juknevičienė says. "We hear daily about sabotages and sabotage attempts on our infrastructure, drones harassing airspace and even laden with explosives like in Leipzig”, she reminds.

"Europe has failed to respond adequately. For too long, some have feared that a stronger response could provoke Moscow. But the opposite has happened: the Kremlin interprets hesitation and fear of escalation as weakness. European leaders must stop fearing the measures to defend our security. The EPP Group wants a stronger European response to hybrid attacks against EU member states and critical infrastructure, with real consequences for those responsible," Juknevičienė states. 

"We need coordinated response to hybrid warfare both nationally, at European level and, where relevant, with NATO. We also need faster implementation of Eastern Flank Watch, tougher rules for Russian passport holders entering the EU, wider economic sanctions including the Russian shadow fleet and more resources to counter disinformation and stronger protection of our critical infrastructure," Juknevičienė concludes.