NATO countries must prepare a firm response to potential deadly Russian “hybrid” attacks. As the Financial Times reports, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said.
According to him, the likelihood of people being killed is increasing as Russia ramps up the number of operations aimed at undermining stability and destabilising European societies. At the same time, he acknowledged that the Alliance would have to decide for itself how to respond.
“The question is what counts as an attack, a cross-border attack. While it is about property, that is one thing. But if people start dying, we will have to have another very serious conversation in NATO. When do we decide the Russians have gone too far? Because it is a matter of judgement. You see, there is no pre-agreed definition,” he told the publication.
Sikorski did not specify what NATO’s response should be to a death. However, he recalled that Poland and Estonia had invoked Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty — a mechanism for requesting high-level consultations among allies — after airspace violations by Russian drones and fighter jets. This, he said, points to the need for more decisive action.
Poland and its neighbours are concerned about a growing number of cyberattacks, airspace violations and attempted sabotage against sites in Europe. They see these actions as part of a Russian campaign aimed at undermining support for Ukraine.
Sikorski urged European allies to respond to attacks attributed to the Kremlin by closing Russian consulates, restricting the freedom of movement of Russian diplomats in their host countries, and generally reducing the number of Russian diplomatic representatives.
“I no longer have any Russian consulates, but in other countries they are still operating,” he said.
The diplomat said that all Russians entering the EU should have biometric passports to prevent operatives from using false personal details. The minister also backed calls to reduce the number of tourist visas the European Union issues to Russian citizens. Almost 500,000 such visas were issued last year.
Sikorski urged all other EU countries to explicitly hold Russia responsible for hybrid attacks where there is sufficient evidence.
The Polish minister made the remarks during a visit to London. He said he intended to persuade the British government to invite Poland to the G20 summit, which will take place next year in Manchester. In return, Warsaw is ready to support closer ties between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
- Meanwhile, the EU Council extended until 9 October 2027 individual sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for Russia’s destabilising actions abroad.