Editorial: El Mundo

• Moscow's hybrid war against Europe is becoming increasingly physical, now incorporating drones and threats against critical infrastructure.
• The drone shot down over Lithuania represents a ramping up of pressure from Putin.
• This incursion comes in the context of the Russian elections, with Putin seeking to project strength and legitimacy amid the continuing human and economic cost of the war in Ukraine.
• There are concerns that Putin is willing to take bigger risks against the West, even testing NATO solidarity by attacking a member country.
• The Baltic is the ideal stage to provoke divisions and test Western response times.
• The European Union has the economic and technological capacity to deter Moscow, but it needs political will and a solid investment in security.

Conclusion: Moscow's provocative actions are escalating, and the European Union will need to demonstrate both political will and strength to deter future aggression attempts.

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