Financial Times, citing Western defense and intelligence officials, reports
Europe has failed to effectively deter Russia's "hybrid warfare" and must
rapidly adopt new measures to curb Moscow's actions against NATO members or risk
escalation with the Kremlin. Officials said a drone loaded with military-grade
explosives targeting Leipzig/Halle airport was thwarted last month, highlighting
Russia's willingness to strike below the Article 5 threshold and the breakdown
of current deterrence. Western officials said responses require collective
European action; a senior defense official said Europe has been far too weak at
deterring provocations that do not trigger Article 5 and, while existing
deterrence can prevent conventional or nuclear escalation, strategies to counter
hybrid warfare must be thought through.
