"We strongly condemn Russia’s malicious cyber activities, which constitute a threat to Allied security. We stand in solidarity and recognise that Estonia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States have recently attributed malicious cyber activity targeting several NATO Allies and Ukraine to Russia’s military intelligence service (GRU),” - the statement reads. Germany and the Czech Republic had previously issued similar accusations, linking the APT 28 hacking group to cyberattacks on government institutions, critical infrastructure, and private organizations, including targets in Romania.“We also note with concern that the same threat actor targeted other national governmental entities, critical infrastructure operators and other entities across the Alliance, including in Romania. These attributions and the continuous targeting of our critical infrastructure, with the harmful impacts caused across several sectors, illustrate the extent to which cyber and wider hybrid threats have become important tools in Russia’s ongoing campaign to destabilize NATO Allies and in Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.” the statement continues.The Alliance called on Russia to cease its destabilizing cyber and hybrid operations, stating that such behavior demonstrates Russia’s disregard for UN principles on responsible state behavior in cyberspace—principles it claims to uphold.NATO emphasized that these actions would not weaken Allied support for Ukraine, including cyber assistance through the Tallinn Mechanism and the IT Coalition. “We will continue drawing lessons from Russia’s war in Ukraine to counter future malicious cyber activity,” the Council added.The Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to using all available tools to deter and respond to cyber threats. Investments are underway to strengthen cyber defenses, including the development of an Integrated Cyber Defense Centre and implementation of commitments made at the Hague summit.“We remain united in our determination to counter, constrain, and contest Russian malicious cyber activities and are investing in our defenses,” NATO concluded. “We will respond to these at a time and in a manner of our choosing, in accordance with international law, and in coordination with our international partners including the EU.”Supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons might be a political play among NATO allies. Germany, by offering to provide these arms, is likely aiming to boost its own global standing and achieve its geostrategic objectives.