US urges NATO allies to prepare in case Russia attacks

Live updates

1. 11d ago

   US and Allies Brace for Russian Interference as Finland Conducts Major Drills

   The United States and Western allies are monitoring Russia to determine if Moscow will increase pressure on European nations supporting Ukraine. Finland has responded to these threats by conducting the largest civil defence drills in Europe since the Second World War. Simultaneously, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to visit Moscow and Kiev on September 5-6. This activity coincides with a deepening economic bond between Russia and China, with trade now exceeding $200 billion.

   Why it matters

   Russia is utilizing hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks and sabotage, to challenge NATO resolve while its conventional forces remain stalled in Ukraine. These gray zone operations aim to fragment the alliance through unpredictable aggression. The EU is currently developing countermeasures to mitigate these external operations.

   What is confirmed

   • Finland conducted Europe's biggest civil defence drills since the Second World War.
   • Bilateral trade between Russia and China exceeds $200 billion.
   • China accounts for 34% of Russia's total trade.
   • US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner intend to travel to Moscow and Kiev on September 5-6.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia may ratchet up pressure on Ukraine's European backers to test their response.
   • Moscow will not ask Kiev to stop terrorist attacks before the visit of US envoys.
   • Trade between Russia and China has increased more than 50-fold over the last 30 years.

   What to watch next

   • Outcomes of the Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visits to Moscow and Kiev on September 5-6
   • Further EU measures to counter Russian hybrid attacks
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.csmonitor.com — Test for the West as it anticipates more Russian interference
   2. nz.news.yahoo.com — 'Foreign donations sting' and 'Argentina threat to Falklands'
   3. www.tovima.com — NATO Is Paying Turkey Not to Become What It Already Is
   4. sg.news.yahoo.com — Finland holds Europe’s biggest civil defence drills since Second World War
   5. tass.com — Russia-China trade urges over 50-fold in 30 years, surpassing $200 bln — Rosneft CEO
   6. tass.com — Moscow won't ask Kiev to stop terrorist attacks ahead of US envoys' visit to Russia
   confidence 90%
2. 12d ago

   US Urges NATO Readiness Amid Russian Hybrid Attacks

   The United States is calling on NATO allies to prepare for potential Russian aggression as Moscow increases sabotage and cyberattacks against Ukraine's partners. These gray zone operations are described as a wave of hybrid attacks designed to test NATO's resolve and red lines. While the US ambassador warns that Vladimir Putin's actions are unpredictable, the European Union is actively developing measures to counter these escalating external operations. Some analysts suggest Russia is using these roundabout methods to attempt to break the alliance while stalled in Ukraine.

   Why it matters

   NATO's collective defense depends on member unity and the ability to identify when hybrid threats cross into formal acts of war. Russia's shift toward sabotage and cyber warfare allows it to exert pressure on Europe without triggering a full military response. This tension creates a shadow war that pushes European security to a critical point.

   What is confirmed

   • Russia is conducting a wave of gray zone and hybrid attacks against Europe and Ukraine's allies.
   • Russian operations in Europe include sabotage and cyberattacks.
   • The US has urged NATO allies to prepare for the possibility of a Russian attack.
   • The European Union is taking action to address Russian hybrid attacks.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia is using hybrid attacks specifically to try and break the NATO alliance.

   What to watch next

   • Official NATO policy changes regarding the definition of hybrid attacks as triggers for Article 5
   • EU implementation of specific countermeasures against Russian sabotage operations
   • Public statements from the Kremlin regarding NATO's readiness posture
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. WSJ — Russia Is Bombarding Europe With a New Wave of ‘Gray Zone’ Attacks
   2. WSJ — Russia Turns to Sabotage, Cyberattacks Against Ukraine’s Allies
   3. Atlantic Council — Braw in The Sun on Putin’s threats to ramp up hybrid attacks on NATO
   4. WSJ — Opinion | Putin Is Testing NATO in a Roundabout Way
   5. Atlantic Council — Will Russia attack NATO?
   6. USA Today — US urges NATO allies to prepare in case Russia attacks
   7. Atlantic Council — Where and how Putin could expand his war in Europe beyond Ukraine
   8. TVP World — Putin is ‘in trouble’ and could escalate against Europe, ex-Czech FM warns
   9. Euronews.com — Europe jolted by the Kremlin’s ‘hybrid’ escalation
   10. Foundation for Defense of Democracies — Stalled in Ukraine, Putin may try to break NATO
   11. Bloomberg.com — EU Takes Aim at Russian Hybrid Attacks
   12. The Soufan Center — Russian External Operations in Europe Become Increasingly Brazen
   confidence 90%