French President Emmanuel Macron instructed the government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure, including defense industry sites, from drone attacks and cyberattacks. According to him, the Russian hybrid threat facing France and Europe has intensified in recent weeks.
This was reported by Associated Press.
“In recent weeks, the threat — particularly the Russian hybrid threat — facing Europeans and France has intensified,” Macron said after meeting political party leaders at the Elysee Palace.
He cited drone attacks and cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. The European Union also considers sabotage, disinformation and interference in democratic processes to be part of Russia’s hybrid activities. Macron warned that such attacks would not go unanswered and accused Moscow of trying to intimidate Europeans and weaken their support for Ukraine.
“We are not intimidated,” Macron said, stressing that Ukraine is where Europe’s present and future security is at stake.
In the coming weeks, Macron plans to convene a Group of Seven meeting to coordinate a response to the energy crisis. He linked rising energy prices to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
