Senior Trump Administration Official in Sweden: “We Must Stick Together”
European leaders are warning that Russia is escalating its hybrid warfare in Europe.
Their concerns are echoed by Thomas G. DiNanno, a senior official at the U.S. Department of State under Donald Trump.
“It is extremely dangerous,” he says during a visit to Sweden.
Thomas G. DiNanno—who serves as Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security—visited Stockholm this week, accompanied by 23 other senior U.S. officials.
The purpose of the visit was to flesh out the Swedish-American technology agreement (TPD)—signed in May by Rubio and Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard (Moderate Party)—with concrete substance.
“We have a long history of defense integration that stretches back decades.”
“Engines, avionics—we have extremely integrated supply chains. But it also involves broader aspects, such as very strong political and cultural ties,” says Thomas G. DiNanno, explaining why the U.S. chose Sweden as the first EU nation with which to sign such an agreement.
The goal is to dismantle cumbersome trade regulations and strengthen cooperation between Swedish and American companies across a range of sectors, including AI, defense technology, and space technology.
Warning of Hybrid Warfare
At the same time, the visit is overshadowed by the security situation in Europe. Recently, the Danish intelligence service warned of an increase in Russian sabotage and cyberattacks. Similar statements have emerged from Germany, where—in a speech in early October—Friedrich Merz stated that the country is preparing for further hybrid attacks, "including serious ones."
This assessment of the situation is shared by DiNanno.
"We are seeing this across the entire continent. Drone incursions and acts of sabotage—like the one in Leipzig—are extremely dangerous. We must stand together," he says.
When asked how Europe can best counter this threat, DiNanno notes that cooperation between the U.S. and Europe in the field of defense technology will be of particular importance.
"However, technology is evolving very, very rapidly. It is a struggle for governments to keep pace," he says.
**Criticism from Zelenskyy**
As EU leaders gathered in Brussels toward the end of the week, President Donald Trump’s high-profile "diesel deal" with Russia cast a shadow over the summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also leveled sharp criticism at the U.S. this week.
Thomas G. DiNanno, however, rejects this criticism:
"No country has contributed more to Ukraine’s defense than the United States," he says, adding:
"The President’s [Donald Trump’s] goal is to bring an end to the war and reach a negotiated settlement. He and his negotiators are doing exactly that."
He emphasizes that the U.S. remains firmly on the side of its allies, dismissing concerns that the American administration might abandon Europe to its fate.
"The U.S. is not withdrawing. NATO is not disappearing. I believe we will emerge with a stronger alliance once all of this is over," he says.
Facts
Hybrid and Cyberattacks in Europe
Some recent incidents that have raised concerns regarding hybrid and cyber warfare in Europe:
Germany: Drones equipped with explosives were discovered near Ukrainian military aircraft in Leipzig in August. Germany has pointed to Russia as the party behind the incident.
Estonia: An arson attack in August against a company that manufactures defense equipment in Tallinn has been identified as Russian sabotage.
Bulgaria: Several merchant vessels were attacked earlier in October within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. In response, the Russian ambassador was summoned.
France: Hundreds of refrigerated and frozen-food display units in French grocery stores were disabled by hackers. No one has yet been formally identified as responsible.
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