EU Chief Urges Action Against Russian Hybrid Warfare
Von der Leyen cites airspace violations as Trump administration watches
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for stronger responses to what she describes as Russia's deliberate hybrid warfare campaign against Europe. Speaking to the EU Parliament, she noted that Russian drones and warplanes violated the airspace of six European nations within a two-week period, causing disruptions to commercial flights and requiring military responses. Von der Leyen characterized these incidents as part of a coordinated strategy rather than isolated events.
The EU chief detailed a pattern of Russian activities targeting European infrastructure, including undersea cables, airports, logistics hubs, and election systems through both physical and cyber means. She emphasized that these actions are designed to test European resolve and potentially weaken support for Ukraine. This assessment comes as the Trump administration monitors European security developments following the President's return to office in January 2025.
KEY POINTS
- •EU reports Russian airspace violations
- •Defense spending increase announced
- •Germany enhances drone countermeasures
Von der Leyen outlined the EU's response, which includes mobilizing approximately $930 billion in defense expenditures through 2030, described as the largest defense spending increase in EU history. She called for additional measures beyond traditional defense, including software development for drones, pipeline components, rapid cyber response capabilities, and public awareness campaigns. These security concerns emerge as U.S.-European relations adjust to policy shifts under the second Trump presidency.
Individual European nations are already implementing countermeasures. Germany, under Chancellor Frederick Merz, is advancing legislation to authorize local police forces to shoot down drones following recent airport disruptions in Munich. German authorities have also installed laser systems to better detect unmanned aerial vehicles after similar incidents affected multiple European airports in recent months. These developments represent part of NATO's evolving security posture that U.S. defense officials continue to monitor.