European leaders warn of Russian hybrid threats and imperial doctrine

European leaders are warning of the persistent threat posed by Russian imperial doctrine and hybrid warfare. Polish Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Russia must define its permanent borders and end its historical pattern of conquest and assimilation of neighboring nations. He emphasized that fear of Russian aggression is rational given its 500-year history of expansionism and argued that Poland and Ukraine are committed to resisting the revival of a Russian empire.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, speaking after a summit in Kyiv, assessed that while Russia recognizes the futility of a direct military attack on NATO, it is shifting its focus toward hybrid attacks within the European Union. Michal warned that Moscow aims to weaken Western support for Ukraine by creating insecurity within Europe. He called for continued economic sanctions, increased defense investment, and heightened vigilance against cognitive warfare and hybrid tactics.