Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.

BRUSSELS — Russia’s drones and agents are unleashing attacks across NATO countries and Europe is now doing what would have seemed outlandish just a few years ago: planning how to hit back.

Ideas range from joint offensive cyber operations against Russia, and faster and more coordinated attribution of hybrid attacks by quickly pointing the finger at Moscow, to surprise NATO-led military exercises, according to two senior European government officials and three EU diplomats.

“The Russians are constantly testing the limits — what is the response, how far can we go?” Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže noted in an interview. A more “proactive response is needed,” she told POLITICO. “And it’s not talking that sends a signal — it’s doing.”

  • Skyrmir@lemmy.worldEnglish
    111·
    4 days ago

    “How far can we go?” is simple. Nuclear war. How far should they go? That’s a more important question. Russia is still getting international parts and selling oil. Make that stop, box them in, and give Ukraine long range weapons. Make it clear to Putin that if it has to be, then full escalation is on the table. As long as it’s not, Putin will continue to advance.

    • Icytrees@sh.itjust.worksOPM
      1·
      4 days ago

      That’s pretty much what the article says.

      However, Europe does not want war with a nuclear-armed Russia and so has to figure out how to respond in a way that deters Moscow but does not cross any Kremlin red lines that could lead to open warfare.

      • Skyrmir@lemmy.worldEnglish
        71·
        3 days ago

        Yeah that’s the problem, they’re worried about Putin’s red line instead of making him afraid of theirs.

        • Icytrees@sh.itjust.worksOPM
          1·
          3 days ago

          I mean, the next paragraph did say:

          That doesn’t mean cowering, according to Swedish Chief of Defense Gen. Michael Claesson. “We cannot allow ourselves to be fearful and have a lot of angst for escalation,” he said in an interview. “We need to be firm.”