European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against the European Union after a number of recent Russian violations of European airspace.

“It’s time to call it by its name; this is hybrid warfare,” the commission president said in her speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday during a debate on the Russian incursions.

To back up her accusation, Ms von der Leyen cited further examples of attacks, including severed undersea cables, cyberattacks on airports and logistics centres, and malicious influence campaigns during elections.

“These incidents are calculated to linger in the twilight of deniability,” she said. “But they are part of an escalating campaign to unsettle EU citizens, test the EU’s resolve, divide the bloc and weaken support for Ukraine.”

Ms von der Leyen explained that hybrid warfare is a combination of methods, from disinformation to cyberattacks or military actions, by which a perpetrator aims to weaken an opponent while remaining as inconspicuous as possible.

“The founding mission of the European Union is to preserve peace, and today that means having the capacity to deter aggression and provocation,” Ms von der Leyen said.

“Europe must urgently equip itself with the strategic capacity to respond.”

The commission head said she would soon present a roadmap on how to improve capabilities in nine key areas, including air defence, artillery, and electronic warfare, by 2030.  

(dpa/NAN)