Belgium's chief of defence, Frederik Vansina, said Russia has so far kept hybrid attacks such as drone incursions and sabotage just below the level that would trigger NATO's Article 5 collective-defence clause, but that eastern allies fear it may soon cross that line with a limited action, possibly a false-flag operation or a brief occupation of border territory. Ahead of a Friday meeting of Belgium's National Security Council (the government's main body for strategic security issues) on the hybrid threat, he said there is no concrete danger to Belgium, though its role as host of NATO headquarters and a logistics hub makes it an attractive target. He said Belgian bases are better protected against drones after an accelerated €50 million investment, and that NATO would respond "very hard" to any Russian move beyond Article 5, even as Europe still needs time to rebuild its defences.