NATO allies could impose "tighter restrictions" on Russian intelligence agents after a series of sabotage attacks against members of the bloc.
This was stated by the Secretary General of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, AFP reported.
He indicated that NATO defense ministers, who will meet in Brussels, will discuss plans to counter "the Russian campaign of hostilities against NATO allies".
"We witnessed several examples of sabotage, arson, attempted cyber attacks, disinformation," Stoltenberg said.
Ministers will work on "response options" that are expected to include closer intelligence sharing, increased protection of critical infrastructure and "tighter restrictions on Russian intelligence personnel across the alliance."
Western governments have sounded the alarm about a growing wave of Russian hybrid actions on NATO territory in Europe.
Last month, Poland restricted the movement of Russian diplomats after the arrest of several people suspected of planning sabotage attacks on behalf of Moscow's security services.
Authorities in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Britain have also recently investigated and charged people for alleged "hostile" activities in favor of the Kremlin.
Officials say Moscow's aim is to sow discord among NATO allies and try to pressure them into ending arms shipments to Ukraine.
"Russia's actions will not stop us from supporting Ukraine," Stoltenberg promised. | BGNES
