EU Nations Prepare for Escalating Russian Hybrid Warfare, Despite Internal Divisions
Brussels – As Russia intensifies its hybrid warfare tactics across Europe, a growing number of EU member states are quietly preparing defenses against disinformation, cyberattacks, and political interference, despite significant obstacles to unified action. The urgency stems from a recognition that the “first shots in the shadow war have already been fired,” according to Marija Golubeva,a Distinguished Fellow with the Center for European policy Analysis (CEPA) and former Latvian Minister of the Interior.
While a coordinated EU-wide response remains elusive due to concerns about national sovereignty and the potential for exploitation by nationalist-populist movements, nations with considerable resources and a high stake in countering russian aggression are forging ahead with collaborative efforts. This fragmented approach is seen as a pragmatic necessity, acknowledging the difficulty of achieving consensus on a comprehensive EU strategy. Countries like Norway and the UK, despite not being EU members, are facing similar attacks and are likely to be key partners in these initiatives.
golubeva argues that the current situation demands proactive measures, highlighting the need for states to bolster their resilience against hybrid threats. These threats encompass a wide range of tactics, including disinformation campaigns designed to sow discord, cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, and covert political influence operations. The lack of a unified EU framework forces individual nations to take the lead, focusing on strengthening their own defenses and collaborating with like-minded partners.
The CEPA report underscores the growing recognition within European security circles that Russia views the continent as a primary battleground in a long-term strategic competition.This competition extends beyond traditional military conflict, encompassing a broader effort to undermine democratic institutions, erode public trust, and destabilize european societies.
Marija Golubeva, founder of crisis exercise startup Meleys and a Henrik Enderlein Fellow at the Hertie School (Berlin), emphasizes the critical need for preparedness. CEPA’s Europe’s Edge journal maintains a strict policy of intellectual independence, ensuring all published opinions represent the author’s views alone.
