On 11 December 2024, the European Commission adopted a Communication to support Member States in countering hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus' weaponisation of migration and strengthening security at the EU's external borders. The Communication helps to:

• Identify the challenges at the EU's external land borders with Russia and Belarus and the threat to the Union's security, including the use of hybrid warfare tactics, such as the weaponisation of migrants whereby Russia and Belarus artificially and illegally facilitate illegal migration flows towards the EU’s external borders.
   
• Strengthen the EU policy response and operational support as well as financial support to allow Member States concerned (particularly Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Norway) to upgrade electronic surveillance equipment, improve telecommunication networks, deploy mobile detection equipment and counter drone intrusions.
   
• Set the legal context, and acknowledge that Member States must be capable of doing what is necessary to defend themselves against hybrid attacks carried out by Russia and Belarus, including through (proportionate, limited and temporary) measures that could entail serious interferences with fundamental rights, such as the right to asylum and related guarantees.  
   
• Increase cooperation with the Union and other Member States, and coordination among neighbouring Member States to ensure the consistency and effectiveness of any action.

For further details, please read the communication on countering hybrid threats from the weaponisation of migration and strengthening security at the EU’s external borders here.