Fernand Kartheiser criticizes Western leaders' threat rhetoric

Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser accused some Western leaders of maintaining fear of an alleged Russian threat for political purposes. RIA Novosti published his assessment on October 9.

Kartheiser argued that threat rhetoric helps certain leaders preserve authority and justify political decisions. He said others are unwilling to distance themselves publicly from colleagues out of solidarity. He linked that approach to dangerous instability.

His comments followed Politico reporting about closed discussions among European Union ambassadors. On October 7, the outlet described preparations for a possible hybrid attack causing multiple casualties. Planning for that scenario does not establish that a specific attack has occurred or identify a perpetrator.

Russian authorities reject allegations of conducting hybrid operations against European countries. Vladimir Putin has previously called claims of a Russian threat false. Kartheiser's comments represent an individual lawmaker's position rather than a European Parliament decision or an investigative finding about a particular incident.