Russian hybrid attacks against Europe intensifying, says Macron
The French president says he has tasked the government with protecting critical infrastructure and defence industry sites.
Russian hybrid attacks on Europe are escalating, Macron says
French President Emmanuel Macron has said the danger posed by Russian hybrid attacks against Europe and France has grown more serious.
Speaking at a news conference at the Elysee Palace, Macron said he had asked the French government to draw up a plan to safeguard critical infrastructure and defence industry sites against this threat.
He said France had faced Russian hybrid attacks in recent weeks and that they would not go unanswered.
An increasing number of European leaders have warned that Russia could be preparing attacks aimed at testing their resolve to keep supporting Ukraine.
Macron was addressing reporters after meeting party leaders to discuss the security consequences of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
He referred to last month's drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany, which was blamed on Russia, as well as comments from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk indicating that Russia was planning drone and missile strikes against Poland and other countries on Nato's eastern flank.
"In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified," he said.
"The intent is to intimidate us and break our effort to support Ukraine. The result will be the exact opposite. We are not intimidated because we know that our security today and tomorrow is at stake in Ukraine."
Macron also said the government had been instructed to protect critical infrastructure and the "most sensitive" defence industry and technology sites from drone and cyberattacks.
He further announced that France would convene a G7 meeting to discuss energy and raise the issue of gas stocks with the European Commission.
"In the coming weeks, we will have a G7 meeting devoted to these energy issues, both to strengthen cooperation and to avoid unnecessary tensions between the G7 countries and our main partners," Macron said.
"It will also be an opportunity to consider options for a possible release or unlocking of strategic reserves."