Recent incidents are increasingly viewed as less isolated events. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warns that Russia could present attacks on countries supporting Ukraine as 'accidents.' EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas describes recent incidents as deliberate attempts to weaken European resolve and sow division.
Infrastructure
The threat is not limited to a conventional military attack. European countries are also considering cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, election interference, and disruption of critical infrastructure. Attacks may vary by country and could target military infrastructure, public transport, or other essential services.
This also makes it less clear when a Russian action should be considered an actual attack. Within NATO, an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all. The question is how the alliance should respond to provocations and other actions that cannot easily be classified as traditional military attacks.
Promotion
War Manual
European countries are therefore urged to better prepare themselves. The United Kingdom is revising its so-called war manual, which has not been updated for decades. Kallas advocates for better infrastructure protection, stronger cyber defense, and increased intelligence sharing among European countries.
Political and military leaders are also trying to raise public awareness of the risks more clearly. In the UK, warnings have been voiced that society is psychologically insufficiently prepared for a serious crisis. Sweden and Finland already involve citizens much more intensively in their emergency preparedness. Recently, the Netherlands advised citizens to keep a food supply for eight days at home, instead of three.
Citizens and Businesses
The approach therefore goes beyond strengthening the armed forces. Citizens, reservists, hospitals, utility companies, and other societal organizations may play a role when a serious crisis breaks out. In Finland, societal leaders are also being trained to understand how society should function during such a crisis.
Increased military and societal readiness is simultaneously presented as a way to prevent war. The premise is that a society better prepared psychologically and militarily becomes less vulnerable. Kallas also wants Russian attacks to be met with concrete measures.
Ukraine
Protection of vital infrastructure is also receiving more attention. This concerns not only visible military targets. Submarine cables and computer systems may also be affected. The EU is therefore working on international cooperation to better protect seabed infrastructure.
At the same time, Europe continues to provide military support to Ukraine. The European Commission is working on payments for Ukrainian defense purchases and has approved production plans for Patriot missiles. Kallas states that Europe will not reduce its support for Ukraine even if Russia increases the pressure.