Merz unveils plan to counter Russia's hybrid war
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (photo: Getty Images)
Germany is preparing a comprehensive plan to counter the hybrid war launched by Russia against the European Union and NATO member states, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, according to Destandart.
Merz announced the plan to counter Russia's hybrid warfare in the Bundestag on Thursday.
According to him, the new National Security Council will discuss this action plan at its inaugural meeting in a few days.
The German chancellor also accused Russia of seeking to destabilize Germany and Europe through sabotage, espionage and assassinations, cyberattacks, and targeted disinformation.
"Even from your ranks," Merz said to applause, referring to the parliamentary group of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
He also addressed the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin, saying that he had "miscalculated" by launching the hybrid war.
"Putin miscalculated. We will not be intimidated. We will defend ourselves against this," Merz was quoted as saying by Tagesschau.
Manifestations of Russia's hybrid warfare in Europe
In addition to cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, Moscow also engages in espionage on the territory of EU and NATO countries.
Recently, Western intelligence services have increasingly detected Russian spies and moles operating in their countries, working either directly against the state in which they were caught or against another allied nation.
For example, two Russian spies working for the Federal Security Service of Russia were recently detained in Poland. They were collecting and transmitting to Russian intelligence information about Russian opposition figures residing in Poland, as well as about individuals and institutions assisting them.
Regarding drone provocations in the EU, it has already been discovered that Russia is using tankers from its shadow fleet to launch unmanned aerial vehicles.
On October 15, NATO ministers gathered in Belgium to develop a unified plan for all Alliance members to respond to Russian drones and aircraft violating the airspace of member states.
