Hybrid Attacks: US Calls on NATO to Respond Decisively

The attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport is “more troubling than merely stray Russian drones,” US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said, urging the alliance not to tolerate hybrid attacks.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Italy, Whitaker said NATO countries needed to remain vigilant and send a clear signal once the perpetrators of hybrid warfare were identified. “If we can find out who is behind it, as Germany has done, then we will make sure to clearly express that this is unacceptable and that we will not tolerate it,” he said.

Whitaker also warned that critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, could come under attack. He said national authorities should monitor such sites. Although responding to these attacks is primarily a national responsibility, he said the United States would stand firmly beside affected countries.

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If we can find out who is behind it, as Germany has done, then we will make sure to clearly express that this is unacceptable and that we will not tolerate it.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz again promised a decisive response to what he called hybrid warfare against Germany. At a campaign event near Hanover, he said, “Anyone who attacks us must know: We are firmly determined to defend our constitutional state, our democracy, our open society and the integrity of our territory.”

Merz said the incident had now been clearly attributed in a way that could stand up in court. The German government blames Russia for the attempted attack and expects further Russian hybrid attacks, while Russia rejects the accusation. Merz compared the current situation with the Cold War and said Germany should remain steadfast and give a clear answer to threats against its freedom, territory and democracy.

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Anyone who attacks us must know: We are firmly determined to defend our constitutional state, our democracy, our open society and the integrity of our territory.