Germany is developing a plan to protect against Russia’s hybrid warfare
16 October 15:11
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against Europe and announced an action plan to counter such threats. The National Security Council of the federal government, established in late August, will consider this “comprehensive action plan” at its inaugural meeting “in a few days”, Merz said in a government statement in the Bundestag on Thursday, October 16, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing DW.
The chancellor stressed that Moscow has launched an “offensive to destabilize Europe” through hybrid attacks that have intensified in recent weeks.
“It is Russia that is increasingly shamelessly trying to destabilize us in Germany and Europe with hybrid means of warfare,” he said, citing acts of sabotage, cyberattacks, targeted disinformation, death threats and espionage as examples.
Acts of sabotage and espionage in Germany and Europe
Referring to the threat of Russian espionage, Friedrich Merz, addressing the representatives of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, added: “Including from your ranks.” Deputies from other factions gave him a long round of applause.
Speaking about the increased sabotage, Merz recalled several incidents with drones in European airspace.
“In recent weeks, drones have increasingly violated European airspace, including ours in Germany,” the chancellor said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on “fear to paralyze a free society and undermine our readiness for decisive action,” but “he miscalculated: we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated,” Friedrich Merz added.
Merz: We will support Kyiv as long as necessary
“We will support the courageous defense of Ukraine as long as necessary,” the Federal Chancellor emphasized.
The upcoming European Council meeting will discuss how to further increase pressure on Russia to start peace talks to end its aggressive war.
This should be done in addition to the 19th package of sanctions, which is still under discussion, Merz emphasized in the Bundestag.
“We do not want to do this to prolong the war, but to put an end to it as soon as possible,” the chancellor emphasized. “Europe has to use its opportunities more decisively and unitedly and use its strength to make the world a better place,” he added.
In addition, the German Chancellor supported the idea of using the frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia to provide Ukraine with interest-free loans totaling 140 billion euros, which should be used exclusively to finance military equipment for the country’s defense. Ukraine should repay the loans only after Russia pays all reparations to it, Merz emphasized.
