This is how the invasion of Ukraine began: Sybiha warns Europe that Russia is already waging a covert war

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says Europe is already facing a Russian covert war, even if governments do not officially acknowledge it.

He pointed to a wide range of incidents, including an event in Leipzig, suspected explosive actions against defense manufacturers in 10 European Union countries, covert recruitment, GPS interference, drones and missiles entering NATO airspace, damage to undersea cables in the Baltic states, and cyberattacks.

Sybiha also cited large-scale disinformation campaigns that use the crisis in Ceuta, as well as recently discovered underground tunnels from Belarus to the Baltic Sea. “Now is not the time to dream. These incidents should be taken seriously as parts of a coordinated broader malicious strategy,” he said.

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Now is not the time to dream. These incidents should be taken seriously as parts of a coordinated broader malicious strategy.

The minister argued that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in both 2014 and 2022 was accompanied by similar tactics. He said those tactics sought to undermine unity, weaken national resistance and prepare the ground for hostility.

Sybiha outlined three steps that he said could be Europe’s last opportunity to protect its citizens. First, European governments should sharply restrict Russian citizens’ presence in Europe, bar Russian fighters from entering the European Union and reduce visas to a minimum. Second, Europe should end all ties with Russia, including trade, through an embargo, strict sanctions and restrictions on energy projects, including nuclear energy. Third, it should dismantle Russian influence networks by closing Rossotrudnichestvo and Russian House offices, reducing cultural and scientific exchanges, and banning Russian propaganda and its intermediaries.

He framed the choice as “either-or”: either Moscow succeeds with its “aggression in the gray zone,” or Europe shows determination to protect lives.

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Either Moscow successfully carries out its aggression in the gray zone, or Europe shows determination to protect lives.