"The time has come to call it by its name: this is a hybrid war." This Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and on her 67th birthday, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, declared in the European Parliament the situation in which Europe finds itself facing Russia. Without mincing words, making it clear that it is no longer just a threat but a reality and that the situation is escalating.
"In just the last two weeks, MiG fighters have violated Estonia's airspace, and drones have flown over critical sites in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Denmark, and Germany. Flights have been suspended, fighters deployed, and countermeasures activated to ensure the safety of our citizens," Von der Leyen began her speech in Strasbourg in the debate on the recent and recurring Russian violations of airspace.
"This is part of a worrying pattern of increasing threats. Across our Union, submarine cables have been cut, airports and logistics centers paralyzed by cyberattacks, and elections targeted by disinformation campaigns. These incidents are intended to remain in the gray zone of denial. This is not random harassment. It is a coherent and escalating campaign," she continued to define the reality that the EU is facing: a situation of war with Russia.
Von der Leyen's statement comes just days after the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, stated that Europe is in the "most dangerous moment" since World War II; or that the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, mentioned that the country suffers "almost daily" provocations from Russia and Belarus.
"For those who still doubt, look at what is happening. An incident can be a mistake. Two, a coincidence. But three, five, ten? This is a deliberate and targeted campaign in the gray zone against Europe. And Europe must respond. We must investigate each incident. And we must not fear assigning responsibilities. Because every square centimeter of our territory must be protected," Von der Leyen summarized.