Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to intimidate European countries as the war in Ukraine has reached an impasse. According to James Stavridis, former commander of U.S. Forces in Europe, after the reduction in U.S. aid to Ukraine, European countries have become Kyiv’s main partners.
Stavridis cites numerous examples of threats from Russia: explosives at the Leipzig airport, damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, explosions at logistics facilities in Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, as well as cyberattacks on NATO countries. Although Moscow denies any involvement, Western intelligence agencies believe these incidents are linked to the Kremlin.
These actions are referred to as hybrid warfare, the goal of which is to destroy infrastructure and disrupt public facilities without resorting to open military action. The situation could lead to the invocation of NATO’s Article 4, which allows member countries to initiate consultations in the event of a security threat.
The uncertainty and the possibility of miscalculations on the part of nuclear powers are cause for concern. James Stavridis emphasizes the need for NATO to improve its methods of responding to hybrid attacks and to mobilize forces to identify the Russian organizations involved.
He also proposes implementing tough measures in response to Russia’s actions, including stepping up surveillance and establishing rapid-response units. At the same time, NATO should be prepared to take active measures in response to aggression, providing Ukraine with modern weapons and considering the possibility of cooperation in a hybrid war.
