Russian hybrid attacks against Europe intensifying, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron has cautioned that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified.

Key points

• The French president was speaking to journalists after session party leaders to discuss the security impact of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
• A growing number of European leaders have cautioned that Russia may be preparing attacks to test their commitment to supporting Ukraine.
• He additionally unveiled that France would call a session of the G7 to discuss energy and raise the question of gas stocks with the European Commission.
• "In recent weeks, the Russian hybrid threat against Europeans and against France has intensified, " he remarked.
• He remarked France had been targeted by Russian hybrid attacks previously few weeks which would not be left "without a response".

In a news conference at the Elysee Palace, Macron remarked he had called on the French administration to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defence industry sites in the face of this threat.

Notably, a growing number of European leaders have cautioned that Russia may be preparing attacks to test their commitment to supporting Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the French president was speaking to journalists after session party leaders to discuss the security impact of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Macron mentioned last month's drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany, blamed on Russia, and remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia was planning drone and missile strikes against Poland and other countries on Nato's eastern flank.

"The intent is to intimidate us and break our effort to backing Ukraine. The result will be the exact opposite. We are not intimidated since we know that our security today and tomorrow is at stake in Ukraine."

Macron continued that the administration had been tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and the "most sensitive" defence industry and technology sites against drone and cyberattacks.

"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 remarked.

"It will also be an opportunity to consider options for a possible release or unlocking of strategic reserves."

For now, russian hybrid attacks against Europe intensifying, says Macron remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.