EU defense chief warns of Russian talks on possible NATO attacks

Tuesday 07 October 2025 - 14:50

By: Dakir Madiha

EU defense chief warns of Russian talks on possible NATO attacks

The European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius, revealed on October 5 that German intelligence possesses evidence indicating that the Kremlin is actively discussing potential military strikes against NATO. He cautioned that such warnings must be treated with the utmost seriousness as Europe faces escalating hybrid warfare tactics from Russia, including large-scale drone incursions into NATO airspace.

Intelligence warnings signal rising threat

In an interview with Wyborcza, Kubilius confirmed that German intelligence services have credible reports of high-level discussions within the Kremlin concerning potential attacks on NATO member states. “I trust our intelligence services. German intelligence reports indicate that the Kremlin is discussing an attack on NATO,” he said.

While acknowledging that it remains unclear whether these discussions amount to active planning or mere deliberation, the EU defense chief emphasized that such signals “must be taken extremely seriously.” His remarks align with broader intelligence assessments describing Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance.

On October 3, Danish intelligence released a comprehensive threat evaluation concluding that Russia is conducting a “hybrid war against NATO and the West,” with an intensification expected in the coming years. Since spring 2025, Russia’s aggressive military behavior toward NATO countries has “further escalated,” according to the Danish assessment.

Putin dismisses Western warnings as absurd

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly dismissed Western intelligence warnings about possible attacks on NATO, calling them “absurd” and “impossible to believe.” Speaking at a foreign policy conference in Sochi on October 2, Putin questioned European leaders’ competence, stating, “They cannot truly believe that Russia intends to attack NATO. One must be incredibly incompetent to believe that.”

He also mocked recent European concerns over Russian drone activity, joking when asked about drones flying over Europe, “I’ll stop. I won’t send drones to France, Denmark, Copenhagen. Where else have they flown?” Putin attributed Western warnings to attempts to justify increased defense spending and fuel public hysteria.

Hybrid warfare intensifies along NATO’s eastern flank

The latest intelligence warnings coincide with a sharp surge in Russian hybrid warfare activities targeting NATO members. On September 9, NATO forces shot down several Russian drones that violated Polish airspace during an attack on neighboring Ukraine, marking the first time NATO opened fire since the conflict began. Poland invoked Article 4 of the alliance following the unprecedented incursion of 19 to 23 drones, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk describing it as “the closest situation to open conflict since World War II.”

Recent weeks have seen rising provocations across Europe, including drone sightings over military sites in Denmark, Germany, and Belgium. Danish intelligence also reported that Russian warships targeted Danish naval vessels and helicopters using tracking radars and weapons, with one ship anchored in Danish waters for more than a week.

These incidents have prompted European leaders to sound the alarm over an intensifying “hybrid war” designed to test NATO’s resolve and undermine the alliance’s unity.