While Putin is waging his hybrid war, Europe is not responding to the threats — Media.

Putin is escalating his shadow war in Europe

Vladimir Putin is intensifying his shadow war of sabotage, assassinations, and misinformation. Europe understands it needs a tougher response but lacks a way to show Putin that he will face consequences if he continues this behavior, notes Lee Hoxteder, a European affairs commentator for The Washington Post, as reported by ZN.UA.

'Western officials believe that Putin's shadow war in Europe is part of revenge for Western support of Ukraine. But he does not need a pretext, which he provides with this war. Putin's main goal is to sow alarm and discord in Europe, put Western allies in their place, and test NATO's resolve. He sees himself as an adversary of the West; the hybrid war against Europe is one front of this conflict,' the commentator writes.

Earlier this year, Putin seems to have ramped up his activities as attacks across Europe sharpened, which, according to security service officials, have a Russian trail.

'Putin will not stop. Without a decisive response from the West, he will continue his hybrid assault in Europe, and possibly even in the U.S. Simple warnings and strengthening defense will not work. But real consequences could arise,' Hoxteder points out.