Macron warns Russian hybrid attacks on Europe and France have intensified, orders protection plan
French President Emmanuel Macron warned that Russian hybrid attacks against France and Europe have intensified, citing recent drone and cyber incidents including an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport. He announced a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defense sites, and stated the attacks will not go unanswered. Macron also called a G7 meeting on energy issues amid record-high fuel prices, attributing the crisis to global conflicts.
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Macron warns Russian hybrid attacks against Europe and France have intensified
French President Emmanuel Macron warned in a news conference at the Elysee Palace that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified. He said he had ordered a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defence industry sites in response to recent attacks, which he stated would not be left 'without a response'. Macron mentioned a drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany blamed on Russia and remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia was planning drone and missile strikes against Poland and other NATO eastern flank countries. Macron asserted the intent is to intimidate Europe and break support for Ukraine, but said the result would be the opposite. He also announced France would call a G7 meeting to discuss energy and gas stocks. Russia has repeatedly denied planning to attack Europe, but Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that European troops in Ukraine would be seen as a declaration of war. Russia also reiterated warnings to the UK that military facilities in Ukraine used to strike Russian territory are 'legitimate targets'.
Macron Warns of Intensified Russian Hybrid Threat, Announces Infrastructure Protection Plan
On September 18, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron convened party leaders and presidential candidates at the Élysée Palace to discuss the geopolitical situation and its consequences, seven months before the 2027 presidential election. Following a three-hour meeting with military and intelligence officials, Macron warned that 'the Russian hybrid threat against France has intensified,' citing recent incidents including a drone attack on a passenger train near the Polish border in Ukraine, incursions into European airspace, and an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in Germany. He affirmed that support for Ukraine is 'more essential than ever' and that Russian hybrid attacks will not remain 'without response.' Macron announced he had asked the government to prepare a protection plan for critical infrastructure and sensitive industrial and technological defense sites against drone and cyberattacks. He also addressed the energy crisis, acknowledging that fuel pump prices are at historic levels causing hardship, and attributed rising concerns to the war in the Near and Middle East and its impact on energy prices.
Read sourceMacron Warns of Intensified Russian Hybrid Threat, Announces Infrastructure Protection Plan
On September 18, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron convened party leaders and presidential candidates at the Élysée Palace to discuss the geopolitical situation seven months before the presidential election. Following the three-hour meeting, which included military and intelligence officials, Macron held a press conference. He warned that the Russian hybrid threat against France and Europe has intensified, citing recent incidents such as a drone attack on a train near the Polish border in Ukraine, incursions into European airspace, and an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in Germany. Macron affirmed that support for Ukraine is more essential than ever, stating that Russian hybrid attacks will not go unanswered. He announced a plan to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive defense sites against drone and cyberattacks. Regarding the energy crisis, Macron acknowledged record-high pump prices and rising gas tariffs, attributing the price increases to global conflicts in the Near and Middle East rather than government decisions.
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Macron warns Russian hybrid attacks against Europe and France have intensified
French President Emmanuel Macron warned in a news conference at the Elysee Palace that the threat of hybrid attacks by Russia against Europe and France has intensified. He stated that France had been targeted by such attacks in recent weeks and that they would not be left without a response. Macron said he has tasked the French government with preparing a plan to protect critical infrastructure and the most sensitive defence industry and technology sites against drone and cyberattacks. He cited a recent drone attack on Leipzig airport in Germany, blamed on Russia, and remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting Russia was planning strikes against Poland and other NATO eastern flank countries. Macron asserted that Russia's intent is to intimidate Europe and break its support for Ukraine, but that the result would be the opposite, as European security is at stake in Ukraine. He also announced that France would call a G7 meeting to discuss energy issues, including gas stocks and the possible release of strategic reserves.
Read sourceMacron says France not intimidated by Russian threats, announces critical infrastructure protection plan
French President Emmanuel Macron held a closed-door meeting at the Élysée Palace on Friday with party leaders and presidential candidates, including Sébastien Lecornu and Yaël Braun-Pivet, to address Russian hybrid threats and the energy crisis. Macron stated that the Russian hybrid threat against France and Europe has intensified in recent weeks and announced he has asked the government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure against Russian hybrid attacks. Regarding rising fuel and gas prices, Macron attributed the situation entirely to wars and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that energy inflation will continue to shape the country's life in the coming weeks. He announced France will convene a G7 summit on energy and refer the matter to the European Commission to accelerate gas storage work. Macron asserted that France is not intimidated by Russian threats, stating that the intent is to intimidate and break support for Ukraine, but the consequence will be the opposite. He called on mobilized French citizens to remain united, assured that the government is aware of the country's difficulties, and emphasized his role as a guarantor rather than a commentator on political life.