US NATO envoy Whitaker urges allies to confront Russian hybrid attacks

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said alliance members should not tolerate deliberate hybrid-warfare actions and that Washington would support countries targeted by such incidents. He singled out an attempted drone attack at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport, which Berlin has blamed on Russia, as more concerning than Russian drones that accidentally stray into NATO airspace while targeting Ukraine. Whitaker also cited incidents in Poland and warned that critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, could be targeted. He urged NATO members to remain vigilant, identify those responsible and respond with a clear message, while noting that individual countries would primarily lead the response.