“We are not passive. The alliance is responding very proactively to such attacks.” said US Permanent Representative to NATO Julianne Smith, asked about NATO’s response to hybrid and cyber-attacks. She was speaking at the Winning the Peace in Ukraine international conference taking place in Sofia. “NATO is now on the alert for the full spectrum of hybrid tactics. This is an alliance that looks confidently into the future and is prepared for it,” she said further.

The US will continue to support Ukraine and Israel, Julianne Smith said further, dispelling any doubts of hesitation on the part of the US. She also noted the support of the US and the NATO allies, including of Bulgaria, for Ukraine’s peace plan which can put an end to the war. “Alas, there is no sign that Russia is willing to sit at the negotiating table even though Ukrainians say what peace in the region will mean,” Julianne Smith said.