NATO chief: Putin in a bad spot as alliance readies response to Russian hybrid attacks

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in New York on Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin finds himself in a difficult position, urging citizens across alliance member states not to panic despite growing concern in Europe over potential Russian hybrid attacks.

Rutte said NATO has concrete response plans in place for scenarios involving sabotage, cyberattacks and drone incidents, and that the alliance stands ready to deploy them if needed. He linked Russia's intensifying hybrid activity to the pressure Moscow faces from the war in Ukraine, arguing that Russia is not winning the war and that there is therefore no reason for panic in NATO countries. He also called on allies to keep supporting Ukraine.

Danish warning

Rutte's remarks followed a new threat assessment from Danish military intelligence, which forecasts that Russia could step up hybrid warfare activity against NATO and other Western states in the coming months, potentially including destructive cyberattacks and sabotage operations. The Danish service also pointed to a low but rising risk that Russia could carry out a limited military strike against one or more NATO countries — for instance, a drone or missile strike on infrastructure used to support Ukraine. It also raised the possibility of provocations designed to test whether NATO states can agree on a unified response. The service currently sees no signs Moscow is preparing a full-scale invasion of a NATO country. Russia denies involvement in hybrid attacks against Western states.

A different message from Washington

Separately, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on European allies to take on greater responsibility for the continent's conventional defense, speaking of the need for a "NATO 3.0" built around strong military capabilities. The United States is meanwhile reviewing its military footprint in Europe, including the deployment of roughly 80,000 American troops currently stationed there. Rutte stressed that NATO already has a range of tools available to respond to hybrid threats and will use whatever is necessary.