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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that Russia is becoming “increasingly reckless,” citing drones and missiles crossing allied airspace and what he described as growing malign activity targeting NATO territory.
“Russia has grown increasingly reckless as they continue their terrible war against Ukraine. We have seen more drones and missiles crossing into our airspace along our eastern flank, creating increased risk,” Rutte said at a joint news conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.
Rutte said NATO and the EU were working “around the clock” to protect their populations and warned that “the dangers Russia poses are clear.”
Rutte pointed to alleged malign activities targeting NATO territory, including fires at factories producing defense equipment for Ukraine and what he called a Russian “hybrid attack” in Leipzig, Germany.
He rejected suggestions that Moscow’s actions could divide NATO allies or weaken their support for Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said Germany had identified Russia as being behind an attempt to attack cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport using military-grade material.
“We will not tolerate it. We stand in full solidarity with Germany,” she said.
Germany on Tuesday blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport last month. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said investigators concluded the plot had been planned by Russian intelligence services and carried out by low-level operatives.
Leipzig Airport is a major freight hub and a key logistics point for military cargo, including Ukrainian Antonov flights.
Von der Leyen said the EU was prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia and close loopholes that Moscow was exploiting.
She also said the EU had received a new Ukrainian request worth several billion euros for air defense support, including advanced Patriot systems, and that member states were considering it.
Russia has rejected allegations of assassinations, sabotage, drone incursions and spying in countries allied with Ukraine, accusing Western governments of fueling “anti-Russian paranoia.”
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