Von der Leyen urges stronger EU response to Russia’s 'hybrid war'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has told MEPs in Strasbourg, that the EU must boost it defences against Russian hybrid threats. REUTERS - Yves Herman

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has urged the EU to step up its response to Russia’s 'hybrid war', unveiling plans to strengthen Europe’s defences against escalating threats.

Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has warned that the continent is facing a deliberate and escalating “hybrid warfare” campaign from Russia – airspace violations, drone overflights of military bases and critical sites, sabotage of undersea cables and a stream of cyber-attacks and malign influence operations.