The European Commission is significantly stepping up its level of activity and response in the midst of the escalating threat from Russia to Spain, Italy, and France. EL MUNDO revealed yesterday that the CIA warns of a Moscow attack on these Mediterranean countries. With drones and from ships. In Brussels, this document "did not come as a surprise at all," according to community sources yesterday, who fully acknowledged the growing threat posed by the regime of Vladimir Putin. And from the European Commission, they explain, in statements to this newspaper, that "the European Union and its Member States have significantly intensified their response to Russian hybrid activities."
They are doing so, for example, by "publicly denouncing Russia for recent attacks" or "progressively dismantling the ghost fleet." "EU naval operations and Member States are taking action, including boarding suspicious ships sailing under false flags, in accordance with international law," explain sources from the Commission.
And more. "By reducing Russia's diplomatic presence and imposing stricter controls on the movements of Russian diplomats within the Schengen area," they continue. And all this, they emphasize, "working closely with NATO against the threat from Russia". This collaboration is considered very important, fundamental.
In the Commission, on the other hand, they avoid confirming or denying whether they are aware of other European countries having suffered the type of attack now looming over Spain, Italy, and France. They simply point out that they maintain "regular contacts with the Member States".
But in Brussels, they are very aware that European airspace "is being tested and has been violated on several occasions," as pointed out yesterday morning during the daily press briefing of the community executive. "We know that several hybrid attacks are being carried out against many of our Member States," added the spokesperson for Technological Sovereignty and Defense, Thomas Regnier.
"That is why we have also proposed flagship initiatives: the Drone Defense Initiative, the Air Shield, and the Space Shield. To increase the resilience of our Member States. So yes, we are aware of it. It is a matter for national authorities but, of course, we have a long history of supporting measures for our Member States in case of need," Regnier continued.
The threat revealed by this newspaper is also something that was pointed out in these pages by the Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius. "Russia can easily launch drones, from ships or from the coast, disrupting airport services and thus harming the tourism industry. We must keep that in mind," the Lithuanian stated in November of last year. Precisely what the US Intelligence services are now warning about.
And from the aforementioned NATO, its Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, stated yesterday that the Alliance is capable of countering Russian cyberattacks and other forms of hybrid warfare, and sought to calm fears amid the escalating threat. "Russia is increasingly intensifying its actions in the cyber domain, among others, but NATO is prepared for it. We have all these response options regarding hybrid threats, to ensure that we remain strong," said the head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from New York after attending an event commemorating the 9/11 attacks.