Belgium's defence minister warns of increased hybrid warfare from Russia and calls for faster scaling up of air defences and production.
Belgium's defence minister, Theo Francken, stated that hybrid warfare is not a recent development by Russia, but an ongoing strategy with significant expertise. He emphasized that Russia has been employing such tactics for much longer than previously assumed and has developed considerable expertise in this area. This makes it difficult for Western countries to investigate and attribute responsibility for these actions. Francken specifically highlighted the increased use of jet-powered drones by Russia and called for Europe to scale up its air defences and increase the production of military equipment. He stressed that all efforts must be accelerated to address the growing threat.
Francken noted that Belgium has improved its defence spending and planning since two years ago, when it was considered one of the lowest performers in the region. However, he warned that Europe as a whole has historically underinvested in defence in favor of robust social welfare systems. He pointed out that while Europe has excelled in investing in soft power and social security, these systems offer little protection against hybrid threats. This imbalance, he argued, leaves the continent in a vulnerable and difficult position as it faces increasing hybrid warfare challenges.
Why it matters
Macron’s remarks may complicate UK-EU negotiations by reinforcing skepticism about Brexit’s economic promises.
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What to watch
Watch whether UK-EU talks address Macron’s criticism of Brexit’s economic impact during upcoming meetings.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.