EU condemns Russia’s airspace violations, debates response

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened a parliamentary debate on Wednesday by accusing Russia of conducting hybrid warfare against Europe. Her comments came after Kremlin drones and fighter jets violated international law and illegally entered Polish, Danish, and Estonian airspace.

Von der Leyen described the violations as an intentional campaign by Russia to frighten citizens. Once or twice is a mistake, but five to ten times is deliberate, and Europe must respond, she said. This harassment is meant to test European resolve and must be taken seriously, von der Leyen continued. The European Union must act and deter Russia, or else this hybrid warfare campaign will only expand, she added.

Von der Leyen pushed for Europe to strategically equip itself for the changing nature of warfare. The choice is simple: either watch Russia’s threats escalate, or unify and meet them with resolved deterrence, von der Leyen said. Every square centimeter of European soil must be protected, she insisted.

What’s next? The European Parliament planned to vote on Thursday on how to respond to Russia’s repeated incursions, according to the body’s agenda. A proposed resolution listed Russia’s recent offenses—if adopted, the EU would pledge full solidarity with countries that faced Kremlin threats. The resolution would encourage any initiative allowing the EU members to take coordinated, united, and proportionate action against all Russian violations. The motion also encouraged NATO to respond to Russia’s violations, called on international bodies to enact stronger sanctions against Russia, and identified Russia’s hybrid activities as state-sponsored terrorism.

Dig deeper: Read my previous report on Russian drones violating Polish airspace early last month.