February 20, 2026.

The German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) published a report in February 2026, coordinated by Anastasia Pociumban and Ricarda Nierhaus. This report “Countering Hybrid Threats – Lessons from Eastern Europe” examines the evolution of Russian hybrid threats in the European Union’s eastern neighborhood. Through several case studies focusing on Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and Bulgaria, it analyzes the strategies used to influence political processes, undermine democratic institutions and delay European integration.

The report highlights the wide range of tools used for interference, going from disinformation campaigns and emotional manipulation to cyberattacks, illegal financial flows and the exploitation of social weaknesses. Rather than promoting an ideological narrative, Russia seeks above all to increase mistrust, social divisions and political instability in the countries it targets.

The Moldovan case study plays a significant role in the report. The 2025 elections show that strengthening oversight mechanisms, cooperation among institutions, independent media, and civil society, as well as more proactive communication, have raised the cost of attempts at foreign interference. The authors also emphasize the importance of tracking financial flows, particularly via cryptocurrencies to limit the operational actions linked to the Kremlin.

This report shows that strengthening democratic resilience requires closer cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the Eastern Neighborhood. It calls on European policymakers to learn more from the experiences gained in Eastern Europe in responding to hybrid threats.

You can find the report by Pociumban, Anastasia, and Ricarda Nierhaus. “Countering Hybrid Threats.” DGAP Report 37 (2026)
.German Council on Foreign Relations. February 2026, here.