Espionage operations, influence campaigns targeting Europe, and repeated drone incursions—including Belarusian balloons entering EU airspace—continue to test European patience and resolve. Lawmakers on Wednesday evening warned that these actions represent a serious threat to democratic institutions and security across the continent.
The comments came at a critical moment – just before European leaders met to decide how to provide crucial financial support for Ukraine, which is rapidly running out of operational funds.
We have an enemy at our doorstep. – MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D/SPA)
Ahead of the debate, Denmark’s Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, emphasised the importance of addressing the growing risks. While the Council typically does not comment on internal matters of other EU institutions, she made clear the Russian threat was a clear exception. Ms Bjerre described Russia as “the most significant and direct threat to EU security,” citing ongoing hybrid attacks, cyber espionage, and disinformation campaigns targeting member states. She continued:
“The EU condemns Russia’s hybrid warfare and remains determined to expose and counter these activities (…) An important actor in these operations is the Russian military intelligence service, the GRU. The EU has adopted restrictive measures against three GRU units and several linked individuals. On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Council adopted new sanctions against Russia, broadening measures to address hybrid threats.
Direct threats and hybrid responses
Ms Bjerre underscored the need for coordinated EU action, highlighting both the direct threat posed by Russian intelligence operations and the critical role of hybrid response tools, including cyber defence, counter-disinformation efforts, and rapid support teams.
“Member states have reinforced resilience and coordinated actions to counter these threats. We have increased the use of EU hybrid tools, including the development of hybrid rapid response teams to support member states and partner countries…” she said.
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In Parliament
Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D/SPA) made no bones about the threat: “We have an enemy at our doorstep… Putin is just the other side of that border and we have Lukashenka, who threatens us with drones and balloons, attacks on critical infrastructure, espionage, and bribes. We’ve seen parliamentarians and member states bought by Russia’s military and intelligence services, and the only thing we can do is react to this.”
Tomáš Zdechovský (EPP/CZE) pointed to a systematic network of Kremlin-influenced MEPs, warning:
“Investigations show that within the European Parliament, there is a network of members acting in the interests of the Kremlin, including representatives from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany. This is not about ideological debate; this is a serious security risk. Foreign interference must be systematically uncovered and fought…”
Another MEP warned that espionage was a serious crime, particularly in democracies where free societies could be exploited by agents working for authoritarian regimes. They highlighted cases of bribed operatives spying in Europe and emphasised the urgent need to defend democratic institutions from such interference.
The biggest decision
The debate took place ahead of a critical EU leaders’ meeting which began on Thursday, where decisions on how to help fund Ukraine over the next two years will be taken (and whether to base a reparations loan of €90bn on locked and frozen Russian assets). It is not an easy moment in the least.
Meanwhile, security experts on channels such as Times Radio have candidly pointed out all week that even as Europe and Ukraine look for viable solutions, as well as the US, they are really only negotiating “among themselves”. Russia has made no overtures towards peace, is continuing nightly deadly attacks, and is insisting Ukraine give up territory—all emphasising a plan under which Ukraine has no right to exist. The EU must do everything in its power to counter Russia’s actions while supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
