European Parliament calls for accelerating support for Ukraine's offensive cyber capabilities
In a report following its September 15 plenary session, the European Parliament recommended accelerating support to Ukraine to strengthen its offensive cyber capabilities and urged the EU to shift from a defensive posture to active deterrence against Russian hybrid threats. MEPs called for strategies to prevent sabotage of critical systems and supported expanding the budget and mandate of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). The Parliament also reaffirmed that Russia is the main external threat to Europe and a state sponsor of terrorism.
Key points
- European Parliament report follows the September 15 plenary session
- MEPs recommended accelerating support for Ukraine's offensive cyber capabilities
- EU urged to shift from a 'defense mode' to active deterrence, including offensive measures against Russian logistical and digital infrastructure
- Parliament called for strategies to prevent physical and cyber sabotage of critical systems such as energy and communications
- MEPs supported increasing ENISA's budget and expanding its operational mandate
- Russia reaffirmed as the main external threat to Europe and as a state sponsor of terrorism
- Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and the Western Balkans identified as main targets of Russian and Chinese information operations
Why it matters
The report signals a possible shift in EU policy from purely defensive cyber measures toward actively supporting offensive cyber operations, with Ukraine named as the direct beneficiary. It extends the framework of EU assistance to Ukraine beyond conventional military aid into cyber capabilities, while reinforcing the EU's characterization of Russia as the principal external threat and a state sponsor of terrorism. The Parliament also tied this shift to concrete institutional changes, notably expanding ENISA's budget and mandate.
What happened
The European Parliament, in a report following its September 15 plenary session, recommended that the EU accelerate its support to Ukraine to strengthen its offensive cyber capabilities. MEPs called for the EU to move from a 'defense mode' to active deterrence, including an assessment of the legal and operational mechanisms for offensive measures against the logistical and digital infrastructure behind Moscow's destabilization activities. They also asked for strategies to prevent physical and cyber sabotage of critical systems such as energy and communications.
The Parliament backed increasing the budget and expanding the operational mandate of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), with additional funding intended to enable real-time incident coordination, early-warning systems and threat-information sharing. Lawmakers reiterated that Russia represents the main external threat to Europe's security and democratic integrity and reaffirmed the Parliament's position that Russia is a state sponsor of terrorism. They identified Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and the Western Balkan countries as the main targets of Russian and Chinese information operations aimed at discrediting the EU.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Both Ukrainian-language outlets — Ukrainska Pravda and Yevropeiska Pravda — lead with the angle that the European Parliament is calling for help with offensive cyber operations, framing the move primarily as direct support for Ukraine. Coverage places Ukraine as the named beneficiary of accelerated assistance and presents Russian hybrid threats as the backdrop justifying the shift.
Background
NATO has previously reported a significant rise in Russian hybrid attacks on member states, recording more than 200 such incidents last year. On September 11, a French commune in Burgundy reported experiencing hundreds of thousands of cyberattacks in a single week, with requests reportedly originating from Russia in most cases. The European Parliament identified Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia and the Western Balkan countries as the main targets of Russian and Chinese information operations aimed at discrediting the EU.