EU Threatens Counter Measures Against Russia Cyberattacks

The EU threatened to use its “full spectrum of measures,” including possible sanctions, against Russia for cyberattacks against European infrastructure, according to a statement of EU representatives released May 3 by the Council of the EU. The statement was released after Germany said Russia was behind a cyberattack against various email accounts of the German Social Democratic Party executive.

“State institutions, agencies and entities in Member States, including in Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Sweden have been targeted by the same threat actor before,” the statement said, adding that the EU has previously sanctioned people and entities linked to the attacks.

“The EU will not tolerate such malicious behaviour, particularly activities that aim to degrade our critical infrastructure, weaken societal cohesion and influence democratic processes, mindful of this year’s elections in the EU and in more than 60 countries around the world,” the council said. “The EU is determined to make use of the full spectrum of measures to prevent, deter and respond to Russia’s malicious behaviour in cyberspace.”