'No time for wishful thinking': Ukraine warns Europe of Russia's scenario
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian foreign minister believes Russia is already waging an active war against Europe, even if European countries refuse to acknowledge it. He called on European governments to take decisive action.
According to Minister Sybiha, Russia wages a covert war against Europe—from the incident in Leipzig and acts of sabotage targeting defense manufacturers in a dozen EU countries to covert recruitment efforts, GPS jamming, drone and missile incursions into NATO airspace, damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, and cyberattacks.
He also pointed to large-scale disinformation campaigns exploiting the crisis in Ceuta, as well as recently discovered underground tunnels running from Belarus toward the Baltic region.
"This is no time for wishful thinking. These incidents must be taken seriously, as coordinated components of a broader malign strategy," Sybiha stressed.
The minister noted that Russia's aggression against Ukraine, both in 2014 and 2022, was preceded by the same tactics: undermining unity, weakening national resistance and laying the groundwork for military action.
Proposed steps
Sybiha outlined three key steps that, in his view, could be the last chance for European governments to protect their citizens.
First, sharply restrict the presence of Russian citizens in Europe. Russian combatants should be barred from entering the EU, while nonessential visas should be reduced to a minimum.
Second, sever all ties with Russia, including trade ties. Sybiha called for a trade embargo, tough sanctions, and the shutdown of all energy projects involving Russia, including in the nuclear energy sector.
Third, completely dismantle Russia's networks of influence in Europe: close all Rossotrudnichestvo offices and Russian Houses, scale back cultural and academic exchanges, and ban Russian propaganda and its intermediaries.
The minister stressed that Europe faces an "either-or" choice: either Moscow succeeds in its gray-zone aggression, or Europe demonstrates its determination to protect human lives.
He said Ukraine has accumulated extensive experience in countering Russian aggression in all its forms and is ready to share that expertise and play a decisive role in protecting stability across the continent.
As previously reported, European leaders have also warned of the start of Russia's hybrid war against the EU. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said that the hybrid war has already begun, while Western intelligence agencies are investigating a series of acts of sabotage, assassination attempts and arson attacks.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has also warned of the growing threat, listing hostile actions by the Kremlin, including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, attempted arson, railway sabotage and drone strikes.
