Macron Warns of Intensifying Russian Hybrid Threats

French President Emmanuel Macron said Russia’s hybrid threat to France and Europe has intensified, citing drone incursions, cyberattacks, sabotage, arson, airspace violations and other actions targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive defense and technology sites. He ordered the government to develop a protection plan, instructed regional authorities to increase vigilance and warned that attacks would not go unanswered. Reported incidents in Germany, Poland and elsewhere have fueled European concerns, while NATO allies including Canada have called for coordinated deterrence under the alliance’s collective-defense framework. Macron also said he would convene a Group of Seven meeting on an energy crisis worsened by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. At the Prague Defense Summit, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš warned that Europe’s security path could lead to a wider war, urged negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and proposed a jointly funded European missile-defense network. Marine Le Pen and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned against direct NATO involvement, with Fico saying he would seek to keep Slovakia out of any conflict, while Russia denies conducting hybrid attacks and warns that European troop deployments to Ukraine could widen the war.