EU Leader Von der Leyen Warns Russia is Waging a ‘Grey Zone’ War on Europe
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued a stark warning, stating that Russia is actively conducting a “deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign” to destabilize the European Union. In a major speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she urged member states to abandon complacency and radically recalibrate their defense policies to counter this new form of conflict.
Von der Leyen detailed a multi-faceted hybrid warfare strategy employed by Moscow, which operates in the ambiguous space between war and peace.
A Multifaceted “Grey Zone” Campaign
The EU leader pointed to a series of alarming incidents across the continent as evidence of a coordinated campaign. “Something new and dangerous is happening in our skies,” she stated, referencing airspace incursions in countries like Poland, Romania, Germany, and the Baltic states.
However, she clarified that the threat extends far beyond aerial provocations. The Russian strategy, she argued, also includes:
Sabotage of critical infrastructure
Cyberattacks
Electoral interference
Widespread disinformation campaigns
“These incidents are calculated to linger in the twilight of deniability,” von der Leyen said. The ultimate goal of these actions is to sow distrust among allies, test NATO and EU unity, divide the bloc, and erode public support for Ukraine without triggering a full-scale military response.
The EU’s Response: A “Drone Wall” and Strategic Unity
In response, von der Leyen insisted Europe must respond with boldness and unity. “We must investigate every incident, and we must not shy away from attributing responsibility. Because every square centimetre of our territory must be protected,” she declared.
The most prominent proposed countermeasure is a European “drone wall”—an integrated air defense system along the EU’s eastern flank designed to detect and neutralize hostile drones. This initiative is part of a broader push to enhance the bloc’s territorial defense.
However, the proposal has exposed internal divisions. While eastern members support it, leaders from Germany and France have questioned its practicality. Meanwhile, Spain and Italy have insisted that any new defense system must protect all EU borders, not just those facing the East.
In response to this feedback, von der Leyen reiterated that the system would adopt a full 360-degree posture, covering southern maritime routes and other flanks. She stated it must address a spectrum of threats, from aerial incursions to migration challenges, criminal networks, and the so-called “Russian shadow fleet” at sea.
A Call for European Strategic Autonomy
A key part of von der Leyen’s argument was the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its own defense industrial base and reduce reliance on external suppliers. She emphasized that rising military budgets should not merely address short-term equipment shortages or fill immediate supply gaps through foreign imports. Instead, she argued, this investment must serve a dual purpose: bolstering domestic defense manufacturers and laying the foundation for long-term strategic autonomy. By prioritizing local innovation, production, and collaboration among European nations, von der Leyen underscored that Europe can ensure both security resilience and economic competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.
A Stark Ultimatum for the Future
Concluding her speech, von der Leyen presented EU lawmakers with a stark choice: stand aside and allow Russian provocations to intensify, or answer them with unwavering unity, deterrence, and resolve. “I know which side we will choose,” she affirmed.
Her remarks come at a critical juncture for European security, as the continent confronts an increasingly complex and persistent form of hybrid warfare. This deniable aggression is not designed to seize territory overnight but to slowly chip away at the foundations of stability—eroding public trust, sowing disinformation, weakening alliances, and exploiting political divisions from within. Such tactics blur the line between peace and conflict, forcing European nations to rethink what defense truly means in the 21st century. The EU’s response to this evolving “grey zone” challenge will not only shape its collective security posture but also determine its ability to safeguard democratic institutions and maintain unity in the face of sustained pressure.
