Five European NATO countries pledge to counter hybrid threats.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups

Following their meeting in Berlin on Friday, the defense ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom pledged to strengthen cooperation to counter hybrid threats, including cyberattacks, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles, in addition to disinformation. The ministers affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, and their commitment to strengthening their armies and enhancing defense capabilities, including the development of anti-drone systems and the promotion of information exchange between European allies. They pointed to the continued monitoring of drones in the airspace of airports and military sites in Europe in recent months, blaming Russia for these operations aimed at destabilizing and intimidating societies. The ministers also pledged to support Ukraine militarily and industrially, and to integrate the Ukrainian defense industry into European initiatives, with a focus on achieving the military capabilities goals of their countries and strengthening their defense industries within NATO. British Defense Secretary John Healey said: "We are in a new era of threat, and this requires a new era of defense," stressing the importance of increasing European defense efforts and spending to counter continued Russian aggression.