Russia is seeking to weaken the resolve of countries that continue to support Ukraine through hybrid operations, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Grynkewich told European lawmakers on Monday.
Speaking to members of the European Parliament, Grynkewich said Moscow was using a range of hybrid tactics aimed at creating uncertainty, increasing pressure on European governments and ultimately undermining their determination to continue supporting Kyiv.
“If there is a hybrid attack on your country, reinforcing the will to support Ukraine will show the Russians that their strategy isn’t working and maybe have them back off that strategy,” Grynkewich said.
He also stressed the importance of publicly attributing responsibility for hybrid attacks when there is sufficient evidence and a high degree of confidence about who is behind them.
According to Grynkewich, publicly identifying the state responsible could have a deterrent effect by demonstrating that governments understand the networks and actors involved and are prepared to respond.
His comments came as European governments and EU institutions have stepped up discussions over how to coordinate responses to sabotage, cyberattacks, drone incidents and other activities described as hybrid threats. The European Commission and EU member states are working on mechanisms to improve coordination when such threats are identified.
European officials have increasingly warned that hybrid operations are intended not only to disrupt infrastructure or security but also to intimidate societies and weaken political support for Ukraine.
Grynkewich argued that maintaining support for Kyiv would demonstrate that such pressure is not achieving its intended effect.
