The defense ministers of five European NATO member states have pledged to strengthen cooperation to counter drone airspace violations and other “hybrid threats,” such as cyberattacks, during a meeting held in Berlin on Friday.
Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom — along with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas — affirmed their strong support for Ukraine in its confrontation with the “Russian invasion” and their commitment to boosting their military capabilities.
The ministers also announced plans to expand industrial cooperation with Ukraine and integrate Ukraine’s defense industry into European initiatives and value chains.
In their joint statement, the allies said they would intensify efforts to address hybrid threats, including drones, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. This includes exploring anti-drone defense systems and improving information-sharing among European countries.
They also emphasized their aim to meet NATO capability targets and reinforce their national defense industries. British Defense Secretary John Healey noted that “Russian aggression is increasing,” adding that the United States is urging European nations to raise defense spending.
European countries have repeatedly accused Russia of waging a “hybrid war” involving acts of sabotage, disinformation, and other disruptive tactics. Several drones have been detected over airports and sensitive military sites in recent months — particularly in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway, and Poland — amid accusations directed at Moscow, which has denied involvement.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said such actions aim to “distract from Russia’s own problems and simultaneously destabilize and intimidate our societies.”
