NATO will not tolerate hybrid attacks against alliance members, US ambassador says

NATO members must not tolerate deliberate hybrid attacks, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said, highlighting the attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport as a particular concern.

Whitaker said the Leipzig incident was more alarming than other recent cases on NATO territory. Earlier episodes involved Russian drones attacking Ukraine and deviating from their course. “Then we have what I would call more alarming hybrid actions, as we saw in Leipzig, as we saw in Poland,” he said on the sidelines of a business conference in Italy.

He said NATO countries must prepare for such threats and remain vigilant. They must also send a clear signal in response to provocations. “If we can identify who is doing this, as Germany did, we will state firmly that this is unacceptable and that we will not tolerate it,” Whitaker said.

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Then we have what I would call more alarming hybrid actions, as we saw in Leipzig, as we saw in Poland.

The ambassador also warned of possible attacks against critical infrastructure, specifically mentioning energy facilities. National authorities should monitor such sites and closely track potential threats, he said. Responsibility for responding to incidents remains primarily with each NATO member, although the United States is ready to support allies in countering hybrid attacks.

Germany has already agreed with the European Union and NATO on an approach to hybrid threats from Russia. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin would act quickly and coordinate with international partners. Germany plans a broad package of measures, while the EU is preparing new sanctions against Moscow. Sönke Marahrens, a representative of Germany’s Bundeswehr Cyber and Information Domain, said Germany had recognized the scale of Russian hybrid operations only belatedly.

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If we can identify who is doing this, as Germany did, we will state firmly that this is unacceptable and that we will not tolerate it.