Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda is set to raise the issue of NATO’s response to recent Russian hybrid attacks at the alliance’s summit in Washington, D.C., Kęstutis Budrys, his chief national security adviser, said on Tuesday.
NATO has to respond to attacks when there is evidence that Moscow is behind them, according to Budrys.
“The president will definitely discuss cases where we have clear attribution of the operations to the organisers, planners, and executors. In such cases, we, as an alliance, must also define how we respond,” he told the Žinių Radijas radio.
A few months ago, NATO condemned Russia’s malicious activities within the alliance’s territory. Back then, Poland detained a dozen people for allegedly organising various acts of sabotage, including the alleged arson of the Ikea shopping centre in Vilnius.
Leonid Volkov, a prominent Russian opposition figure, was also assaulted in Lithuania in March. The attack is believed to have been orchestrated by Russian special services.
According to Budrys, NATO countries should plan possible response scenarios to such attacks. Response measures could include sanctions or the deployment of certain capabilities, he said.
“NATO will not take symmetrical measures. If an agent conducts some kinetic action, smears a monument that is dear to us or burns down a shopping centre, NATO won't respond with identical actions,” Budrys notes.
The NATO summit in Washington, D.C. is taking place on July 9–11.
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