Tusk: Russia may escalate sabotage in Europe before Christmas, winter will be very difficult

Expectations of escalation before Christmas

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that a certain escalation from Russia in its hybrid war against Europe can be expected before Christmas. He expressed this view during a press conference following the conclusion of the European Council summit in Brussels.

The head of the Polish government was commenting on statements by former National Security Council head Jacek Siewiera. On Radio Zet, Siewiera noted that this winter one should expect a "decisive chord" in the hybrid war that Russia is waging against Europe.

Joint position of intelligence services

Responding to journalists' questions, Tusk emphasised that his assessments are based not on intuition or personal forecasts.

«Я не покладаюся на свої прогнози чи інтуїцію. Для мене важливі знання та конкретні вказівки щодо того, що робити і як діяти – як від наших, українських, так і від союзних спецслужб. Усе це зводиться до одного чіткого повідомлення: можна очікувати певної ескалації ще до Різдва» (I do not rely on my forecasts or intuition. What matters to me is knowledge and specific instructions on what to do and how to act – from our own, Ukrainian, and allied intelligence services. All of this boils down to one clear message: a certain escalation can be expected before Christmas), the Prime Minister stated.

High-risk zones

According to Tusk, winter will be very difficult, primarily regarding borders, railway lines – everything that on the Ukrainian side can be used for transporting, in particular, gas, oil, or food.

The Polish leader added that countries in the region are already facing manifestations of hostility. He recalled that in Latvia, people in uniform were seen, while Lithuania expects a serious provocation.

Testing Europe's reaction

Tusk warned that in Poland, too, attempts at sabotage and provocations should be expected, which may be larger in scale than before.

«Очікуймо, як і раніше, лише в більшому масштабі, спроб диверсій чи якихось провокацій у Польщі. У Латвії вже бачили людей у формі, Литва очікує на серйозну провокацію. Однак одне є очевидним: Росія посилюватиме цю ескалацію та випробовуватиме нашу відповідь - у цьому й полягає проблема» (Let us expect, as before, only on a larger scale, attempts at sabotage or some kind of provocations in Poland. In Latvia, people in uniform have already been seen, Lithuania expects a serious provocation. However, one thing is obvious: Russia will intensify this escalation and test our response – that is the problem), he concluded.