We cannot be naive. Hybrid warfare is a reality, and we must be prepared.
Analysis
Hybrid warfare, combining conventional and unconventional tactics (e.g., cyberattacks, disinformation), was a well-documented concern for NATO by 2017. Grybauskaitė, as Lithuania's president, frequently highlighted these risks. NATO's 2016 Warsaw Summit explicitly addressed hybrid threats, validating her claim.
Background
Hybrid warfare gained prominence after Russia's actions in Ukraine (2014) and interference in Western elections. NATO's 2016 summit formalized counter-hybrid strategies, and member states, including Lithuania, emphasized preparedness.
Verdict summary
Dalia Grybauskaitė's statement accurately reflects the recognized threat of hybrid warfare by NATO at the time.
Sources consulted
— NATO Warsaw Summit Communiqué (2016) - https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_133163.htm
— Dalia Grybauskaitė's 2017 NATO summit speech transcripts (Lithuanian Presidency archives)
— RAND Corporation: 'The Russian 'Hybrid' Warfare Debate' (2015) - https://www.rand.org/blog/2015/05/the-russian-hybrid-warfare-debate.html