NATO plans crackdown on Russian agents over alleged hybrid attacks

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that NATO member countries could impose “tighter restrictions” on Russian intelligence agents after a recent series of sabotage attacks.

Stoltenberg said NATO defense ministers, meeting in Brussels, would discuss plans to counter a “Russian campaign of hostile activities against NATO allies.”

“We have seen several examples of sabotage, arson, attempted cyberattacks, disinformation,” he said.

Stoltenberg added that ministers would work on “response options,” which should include closer intelligence sharing, strengthening protection of critical infrastructure and “tighter restrictions on Russian intelligence personnel across the country.” the alliance.”

Western governments have sounded the alarm over what appears to be a growing wave of Russian “hybrid activities” in Europe.

Last month, Poland announced it would restrict the travel of Russian diplomats after the arrest of several people suspected of planning sabotage attacks on behalf of Moscow's security services.

Authorities in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and the United Kingdom have also recently investigated and charged people for “hostile” activities attributed to Russia.

Officials suggest that Moscow's goal may be to sow discord among NATO allies and try to pressure them to stop arms deliveries to Ukraine.

“Russia’s actions will not prevent us from supporting Ukraine,” Stoltenberg promised earlier this week.

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