Portugal warns of unsettling Russian hybrid threats in Europe

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel has described hybrid threats from Russia across Europe as ‘extremely unsettling’ during a parliamentary hearing. He specifically cited a frustrated drone attack at Leipzig Airport in Germany this August, which involved explosives and could have caused ‘very serious damage.’

In response to these activities, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a diplomatic warning to the Russian representative in Lisbon. Rangel noted that Portugal has supported all European Union sanction packages against Russia, stating that while the country is not against the Russian people, it is against the ‘highly dictatorial regime’ that violates international law.

Members of the European Affairs parliamentary commission expressed consensus regarding the severity of these threats. Political representatives also reaffirmed Portugal’s commitment to NATO and its unwavering support for Ukraine.