Russian hybrid attacks against Europe intensifying, says Macron
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French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified.
In a news conference at the Élysee Palace, Macron stated he had requested the French government to prepare a plan to safeguard critical infrastructure and defense industry sites from this threat. He emphasized that France would not leave past Russian hybrid attacks "without a response".
A growing number of European leaders have expressed concerns that Russia might be preparing attacks to gauge their commitment to supporting Ukraine. Macron mentioned recent events, including the drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany, blamed on Russia, and remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia's plans for drone and missile strikes against Poland and other countries on NATO's eastern flank.
"In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified," said Macron.
"The intent is to intimidate us and break our effort to support Ukraine. The result will be the exact opposite. We are not intimidated because we know that our security today and tomorrow is at stake in Ukraine."
Macron further revealed that the government had been tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and the "most sensitive" defense industry and technology sites against drone and cyberattacks. He also announced France's plan to call a G7 meeting to discuss energy issues, including gas stocks, with the European Commission.
“In the coming weeks, we will have a G7 meeting devoted to these energy issues, both to strengthen cooperation and to avoid unnecessary tensions between the G7 countries and our main partners,” Macron concluded.