By Comfort Asemota
Russia has issued a stern warning following comments by NATO’s Military Committee Chair, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, who suggested the alliance might consider acting proactively rather than waiting to respond to threats. The remarks signal a potential shift in NATO’s defense posture.
Alleged Hybrid Attacks Fuel NATO Concerns
Dragone highlighted Moscow’s covert operations across Europe, which reportedly include fires and explosions—such as the blaze at a Ukrainian-owned warehouse in East London—severed undersea Baltic cables, and widespread cyber intrusions. He told the Financial Times that these attacks are prompting NATO to reconsider its approach to hybrid warfare.
Moscow Condemns NATO Remarks
In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Dragone’s comments as “an extremely irresponsible step” and accused NATO of escalating tensions.
“We see in it a deliberate attempt to undermine efforts to overcome the Ukrainian crisis. The people making such statements should be aware of the risks and possible consequences, including for the alliance members themselves,” Zakharova said.
Additionally, Russia’s ambassador to Belgium, Denis Gonchar, accused NATO of “intimidating its population with the Kremlin’s non-existent plans to attack alliance countries” and insisted the West is “preparing for a major war with Russia.”
Ongoing Ukraine Conflict and Peace Talks
The warnings come as peace negotiations over the Ukraine war continue. Former U.S. President Donald Trump described talks as “going along well,” with officials from the U.S. and Europe calling recent sessions productive. The Kremlin confirmed that Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, will travel to Moscow for further discussions.
Meanwhile, Russia continues its military campaign in Ukraine. On December 1, at least four people were reportedly killed in a Russian strike.
NATO Considers Proactive Measures
Dragone said NATO is examining all possible responses, particularly in cyber defense:
“We are studying everything. On cyber, we are kind of reactive. Being more aggressive or being proactive instead of reactive is something that we are thinking about.”
He added that cyber counter-attacks would be easier to execute due to NATO members’ strong digital capabilities, while retaliating against physical sabotage or drone attacks would be more complicated—but “not out of the question.”
Dragone also noted that in certain circumstances, a pre-emptive strike could be considered defensive, though it remains “further away from our normal way of thinking.”
Several Eastern European nations have urged NATO to abandon a purely reactive strategy. A Baltic diplomat argued:
“If all we do is continue being reactive, we just invite Russia to keep trying, keep hurting us. Hybrid warfare is asymmetric, it costs them little, and us a lot. We need to be more inventive.”
The debate comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky faces mounting military and political pressure at home while Ukraine seeks a settlement to the ongoing war.
