Germany will develop a "comprehensive action plan" to counter what it sees as low-level hybrid warfare waged by Russia, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (October 16, 2025).
The newly formed National Security Council would "in the coming days" hold its inaugural meeting to work on the plan, Mr. Merz told parliament.
Referencing mysterious drone flights that have caused chaos at European airports, Merz charged that Russian President Vladimir Putin was subjecting Europe to "hybrid attacks".
"We will defend ourselves against them now and in the future," Mr. Merz said.
"That is why the National Security Council, which we have newly established, is developing a comprehensive action plan to defend against hybrid threats," he added.
