Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's former foreign minister, has called on NATO to take a more active role in countering Russian hybrid warfare, arguing that his country alone cannot withstand the pressure. In an interview, he stressed that the Baltic state expects its allies to help mitigate the effects of these attacks, which range from cyber intrusions to sabotage and disinformation campaigns.
“There is so much Lithuania can do,” Landsbergis said, acknowledging the limits of national measures. He pointed to a broader challenge within the alliance: differing threat perceptions among member states. “Southern European countries such as Spain have different mentalities,” he noted, adding that what might seem distant to them is an “existential threat” for Lithuanians.
The comments come as European Union foreign ministers have been seeking a joint response to Russian hybrid sabotage, following a series of incidents across the continent. Recent attacks have included arson at a defence firm in Estonia, which authorities blamed on Russian special services, and the expansion of the Russian army under a new decree by President Vladimir Putin.
Landsbergis's remarks highlight a persistent divide within NATO and the EU over how to handle Moscow's tactics. While Nordic and Baltic countries view Russian aggression as a direct threat to their sovereignty, some southern member states, including Spain, Italy, and Greece, have historically been more cautious, prioritising economic ties and energy dependencies over security concerns.
A question of solidarity
The former minister's appeal is not just about military deterrence but also about political solidarity. He argues that NATO's credibility depends on its ability to respond collectively to hybrid threats, which often fall below the threshold of conventional war. “If we allow Russia to test our unity through these tactics, we are inviting further escalation,” he warned.
His comments echo concerns raised by other Baltic officials. Estonia's recent accusation against Russian special services for arson at a defence firm underscores the urgency. Similarly, Ukraine continues to face relentless drone attacks on its capital, with a strike on a Kyiv academy killing one person as part of nationwide assaults.
For Lithuania, the threat is not abstract. The country has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion, hosting NATO battalions and serving as a logistical hub for Western aid. But Landsbergis insists that more needs to be done at the alliance level to deter hybrid operations, which he says are designed to test the limits of Article 5.
“We need a NATO response, not just a Lithuanian response,” he said, calling for a coordinated strategy that includes intelligence sharing, cyber defence, and economic sanctions. He also urged southern European allies to recognise that the security of the Baltic region is inseparable from their own.
The challenge is not lost on EU policymakers. Recent discussions in Brussels have focused on creating a framework to counter hybrid threats, but progress has been slow. Meanwhile, Russia continues to probe vulnerabilities, from expanding its military to seizing control of foreign companies like German retailer Metro's Russian operations.
Landsbergis's message is a reminder that for many Europeans, the war in Ukraine is not a distant conflict but a daily reality. As he put it, “We cannot afford to be complacent. The threat is here, and it is existential.”
