NATO to get “proactive” against Russian hybrid threats – top commander

NATO’s supreme allied commander in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, told reporters on Thursday that the alliance is shifting toward a more _proactive_ stance to counter what it calls Russian “hybrid attacks.” He said the goal is to create “dilemmas” for the Kremlin, not to launch an offensive campaign, and stressed that NATO remains a defensive alliance

The warning comes amid a wave of alleged Russian‑linked sabotage, arson and cyber strikes across Europe—Poland’s rail sabotage, arson attacks and a series of cyber intrusions have raised alarm among member states. European officials say these actions are part of a broader “hybrid warfare” aimed at destabilising NATO countries while the war in Ukraine continues  ¹.

Grynkewich acknowledged that the threats are real but not existential: “This doesn’t represent an existential threat to anything the alliance is doing. We’re able to respond and manage this.” He added, “If Russia is trying to give us dilemmas, maybe we can give them dilemmas too,” without detailing specific measures  ¹.

The commander, appointed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, emphasized that any response will stay within NATO’s defensive remit. “There’s nothing offensive about this,” he said, noting that the alliance will continue to attribute attacks and keep the public informed  ¹.

NATO officials have been debating a more assertive posture for months. Some eastern‑European members have pushed for the alliance to move beyond a purely reactive approach, arguing that a proactive strategy could deter future hybrid actions  ² ³. At the same time, the alliance points to successes like the Baltic Sentry mission, which has helped protect undersea infrastructure from further sabotage

The United States and other allies have pledged additional military aid to Ukraine, while diplomatic talks continue amid ongoing Russian strikes 

Overall, NATO’s message is clear: it will stay vigilant, attribute attacks, and be ready to respond—proactively if needed—while keeping its core defensive character intact.