Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs warned on Saturday that Russian travelers in Europe are linked to escalating hybrid threats from Moscow, urging the European Union to impose a visa ban on Russian citizens. His call came as Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Russian provocations in Europe are expected to intensify by Christmas, citing intelligence from Polish, Ukrainian, and allied services.
Kulbergs’ remarks, reported by the Financial Times, directly tied the movement of Russian nationals to Moscow’s broader hybrid warfare strategy, which includes disinformation and covert operations across the EU. Tusk’s assessment, shared via Telegram, underscored the urgency, noting that preparations for new Russian actions are already underway.
The warnings follow a week of heightened regional tensions, with Latvia and Poland both emphasizing the need for stronger EU defenses against Russian interference. Kulbergs had previously accused Russia of meddling in Brexit, stating that artificial intelligence has amplified Moscow’s propaganda efforts, while the EU has yet to effectively counter the threat.
