Council of Europe head Alain Berset warned Europe is unprepared for hybrid threats in a possible wider confrontation with Russia, citing information manipulation and possible weaknesses in energy and infrastructure. He urged comparable investment in democratic institutions.
Defense spending by the EU's 27 members is projected to exceed $516 billion this year, up 75% in five years. Berset cited inexpensive drones and cyber capabilities as examples of how rapidly conflict is changing.
Eurostat reported an EU fertility rate of 1.3 children per woman in 2024, the lowest in comparable EU-wide data since 2001; the article says aging may affect the future military-age population and pressure welfare and pension systems. Berset cautioned that responses such as policing speech, banning parties or making arrests could create further problems.
