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European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius has called on the European Union to strengthen its response to “hybrid attacks” attributed to Russia, Euronews reported.
“If we are hit by Russian hybrid attacks, our answers should be as painful as that attack,” Kubilius said during Euronews’ Defence and Space Summit. He added that Europe should develop a stronger response to hybrid warfare.
“If we are facing hybrid war against us, we need to have hybrid defence,” he said.
Kubilius warns of Russian influence efforts
Kubilius said Russian President Vladimir Putin was seeking to influence European public opinion by “occupying the hearts and the minds of people”. He also called for greater communication between the sides while warning that the nuclear risk should not be ignored.
Diplomatic efforts have so far failed to produce an outcome and could undermine Ukraine, Kubilius said.
“Russians are standing with their position very clear: Ukraine needs to surrender — that is their diplomacy position,” he said.
Kubilius argued that Putin must understand he would not achieve anything through the war and should “feel that war is coming to Russia itself”.
Warnings over diplomatic engagement
The EU defence commissioner warned that opening a diplomatic track with Russia could encourage further escalation and increase risks to European security.
“That doesn’t lead to anywhere which could make both Ukraine and the whole of Europe safe,” he said. “And that would be a victory for Putin, and we can expect what would come next.”
Earlier this week, Estonia accused the Kremlin of orchestrating an arson attack on a drone manufacturer supplying Ukraine.
Germany also attributed an attempted drone attack earlier this month on Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport to Moscow.
