Brussels: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned on Tuesday at the Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) Conference that democracies face not only physical threats but also a 'cognitive war' aimed at shaping public opinion.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kallas stressed that the security environment is becoming increasingly intense, with not only visible battles but also an ongoing 'cognitive war' targeting the hearts and minds of the populace. She highlighted the use of lies and false narratives in this battle, which significantly undermines democratic structures.

Kallas emphasized the urgent need for active measures to counter this cognitive war. She also pointed out that the European Union must maintain the confidentiality of its tools designed to combat disinformation, warning that if adversaries become aware of these tools, they could exploit potential weaknesses.

The EU's top diplomat revealed that the bloc has been largely reactive until now, responding to attacks rather than taking preemptive action. She proposed that the EU should consider adopting more offensive strategies in its fight against disinformation, to better protect its democratic institutions.