Von der Leyen pledges response to Russian hybrid attacks ahead of Rutte meeting

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she stands in "full solidarity" with Germany after officials in Berlin formally attributed a high-profile drone incident to Russia at a press conference on Monday.Von der Leyen said she would use a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday to discuss the matter, with additional sanctions to be prepared by foreign ministers at an upcoming meeting."

We will keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts," she said in a statement posted on social media platform X on Monday." The German government has taken strong measures. And the message is clear: hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response." The “short notice” bilateral was confirmed by European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho on Tuesday, who said the meeting would also occur in the context of Europe and NATO strengthening defence cooperation.A NATO official told Euronews the meeting would centre mostly on how to deepen coordination against hybrid threats.In the wake of the news from Germany, Rutte posted a similar statement on X, stating that NATO stands in full solidarity with Berlin and "the evidence is clear" that Russia was to blame."

NATO will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat — including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance," he said.Von der Leyen's comments came after Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Monday that the "means to carry out the act" of a drone sabotage incident occurring in August is "known to use from other hybrid operations conducted by Russia and its war against Ukraine.""

The German government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August," he said.Germany has ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn, while the Russian House in Berlin will also be shut down. Foreign Affairs Minister Johann Wadephul said Russia’s actions form part of a “long series of attempts at destabilisation, disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression directed at Europe."

On 4 August a drone was found in the security zone of the Leipzig/Halle Airport near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft used to transport military supplies. Later, a second unmanned aerial vehicle collided with an aircraft, with the plane unable to land.Merz has previously vowed a response to the incidents, with action coordinated between EU and NATO allies.The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement late August condemning Europe’s blame, stating this occurred well before an investigation had been completed.Meanwhile, the EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia is hitting Europe with increasing kinetic hybrid incidents aiming to “scare us away” from supporting Ukraine.“

They will not succeed,” she said, following a defence ministerial meeting in Wicklow, Ireland. Kallas said it is obvious the risks from these incidents are rising, and “clearly we are not doing enough to stop this.” Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee, delivering the press conference alongside Kallas, said “support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia” remains central to Ireland’s six-month EU council presidency.“ We are now starting to see threats materialise as recently as the last 24 hours, where our colleagues in Romania and Latvia and Estonia, and of course Germany, have spoken of incursions into their own airspace, but also into their own land domain,” she said.Romania and Estonia both reported drone incursions occurring on Tuesday.

Several improvised explosive devices were found near coal-fired power plant in Germany also on Tuesday.On his way into the talks, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said Europe must prepare itself for more Russian hybrid warfare incidents." They are testing always this threshold — where is this red line," he said, adding that Europe must keep a “very clear” head.