Kaunas says NATO must counter Russia in the “grey zone”

Russia will not change, so NATO must be capable of responding to it in the “grey zone,” Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said, according to LRT.

“We currently have a problem: Russia will not change. That means NATO, as an organisation, must be able to fight and deliver an equivalent response in the grey zone, against the threats we face today,” Kaunas told reporters on Wednesday.

Asked why the Alliance had not activated Article 4, which provides for consultations among allies, after a drone incident at Leipzig Airport, Kaunas said Germany had clearly identified Russia as the aggressor.

“And since this is an attempt to carry out a terrorist act, let us not be afraid to call Russia a terrorist state,” he said.

Kaunas said NATO’s military power must be clearly visible as Russia fails to achieve its goals in the war in Ukraine and tries to intimidate European countries supporting Ukraine.

“NATO countries are naming and recognising this more clearly and loudly. Therefore, NATO countries must prepare a unified response from the Alliance to such threats,” the minister said.

He was speaking after Germany accused Russia on Tuesday of attempting to carry out a hybrid attack at Leipzig Airport in early August using a drone carrying explosives. Berlin also announced diplomatic countermeasures.

NATO, the European Union and Lithuanian leaders promised Germany their full solidarity following the unusual political statement.

Germany had previously refrained from directly accusing Russia, referring only to the possible involvement of “foreign states”. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that Russia’s increasingly brazen attempts to destabilise Europe were raising the risk of bloodshed.

Concern over Russia’s intentions also increased after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow last week and, according to media reports, warned Russia not to attack any NATO member.