Kallas: Russia's hybrid attacks aim to erode Europe's support for Ukraine
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warns that Russian sabotage, cyberattacks and stray drones are meant to frighten Europeans away from backing Ukraine, while noting a growing bloc of MEPs who downplay the Russian threat.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has said that Russia's recent sabotage acts, cyberattacks and stray drones entering European airspace can no longer be described as merely 'hybrid' threats but constitute real attacks. She said their purpose is to frighten citizens of European countries into withdrawing support for Ukraine.
According to Kallas, available data shows Russia is deliberately seeking to escalate tensions. She pointed to debates in the European Parliament, where the number of MEPs publicly arguing that Ukraine should not be supported and that Russia poses no real threat has grown.
Warnings from European leaders
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have both warned that Europe may be entering decisive weeks and months for its security. Tusk did not rule out the possibility that Russian escalation could directly affect Polish territory.
Kallas also referenced the Leipzig attack, which was traced back to Russia, saying she had hoped it would make clear to the German public that the threat is not distant but directly endangers Europeans. Instead, the reaction from the AfD party has gone the other way, with the party suggesting Russia should be allowed to achieve its aims so that peace can follow.
Debate in Estonia
The report also touches on a domestic debate in Estonia, where newly appointed Defense Minister Martin Herem, a former commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, is pushing to create a unified national threat assessment. This has drawn criticism from several reserve generals, including Meelis Kiili, who warned that basing political leadership on fear of war could actually weaken security. Kallas declined to comment in detail on Herem's specific statements, saying she had not closely followed Estonia's domestic political debate.
