Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that Russia is already waging «aggression in the grey zone» against Europe through acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation and other actions. He called on European governments to tighten restrictions on Russia, break their dependence on it and draw on Ukraine’s experience in countering Russian aggression.
Briefly about the main points
- Sibiga described Russia’s actions in Europe as a coordinated «aggression in the grey zone».
- Among the threats, the minister listed acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation and airspace violations.
- The Foreign Secretary drew a parallel with the Russian Federation’s tactics prior to its aggression against Ukraine.
- Kyiv is proposing to restrict the entry of Russians, as well as trade and energy ties with the Russian Federation.
- Ukraine is ready to cooperate with European governments in countering Russia.
Which of Russia’s actions did the minister regard as part of a joint strategy?
According to Siberia, …this is not a matter of isolated incidents, but of interlinked components of a broader malicious strategy on Moscow’s part. He cited subversive activities against defence contractors in ten EU countries, covert recruitment, GPS jamming affecting aviation, and drone and missile incursions into airspace NATO, damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea and large-scale information campaigns.
The list also included an incident in Leipzig, the use of the crisis in Ceuta to spread disinformation, and the recently discovered tunnels which, according to the minister, run from Belarus to the Baltic states. Sibiga emphasised that such incidents should be taken seriously.
The European Union has previously characterised Russian activities as broader, coordinated and long-term hybrid campaigns against the security, stability and democratic foundations of the EU and its partners. According to EU documents, such actions include sabotage, cyber-attacks, disinformation and interference.
What response is Ukraine proposing to Russia?
The Foreign Minister pointed out that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and 2022 had been preceded by efforts to undermine unity, weaken national resistance and lay the groundwork for military action. That is precisely why, in his view, Europe needs strength, resolve and a proactive strategy.
Sibiga proposed drastically restricting the presence of Russian citizens in Europe, banning Russian combatants from entering, and reducing non-essential visas to an absolute minimum. He also called for the severing of trade ties, tougher sanctions and the scaling back of all energy projects with Russia, particularly in the nuclear sector.
Separately, the minister called for the dismantling of Russian networks of influence: closing Rossotrudnichestvo offices and «Russian Houses», curtailing cultural and scientific exchanges, and countering propaganda and illegal networks that influence political and business elites.
The EU and NATO generally describe these risks as hybrid, destabilising or hostile actions. As of 13 July 2026, the EU’s special sanctions regime targeting Russian destabilising actions covered 80 individuals and 20 organisations. NATO, for its part, is conducting the Baltic Sentry mission in the Baltic Sea and the Eastern Sentry mission on its eastern flank to strengthen its response to threats.
These proposals go beyond the current joint regime EU. The Union has already revoked visa facilitation measures for Russian citizens and restricted the availability of multiple-entry visas, whilst also approving a phased ban on Russian gas imports, with transition periods extending until 2027. Sibiga stated that Ukraine is ready to share its accumulated experience with any European government that requests such cooperation.
