Hybrid war and drones: Denmark hosts EU leaders as some in Europe slow sky defense efforts

In Denmark, where drones recently paralysed airport operations, several high-level summits were held.

At first, EU leaders in a closed format discussed how to strengthen their own defence in light of growing threats, in particular the regular appearance of foreign drones in European airspace. As usual, they also spoke about assistance to Ukraine.
The following day, discussions continued in a broader format. Leaders from the UK, Ukraine, Moldova, the Balkans and beyond joined the EU heads.

This was reported in a piece by Radio Svoboda correspondent Zoryana Stepanenko.
The leaders met under unprecedented security measures in line with current challenges: allied air defence systems in place and no drones — not even civilian ones — allowed during the events. On the agenda were methods to counter other, less harmless drones. These methods are part of strengthening EU defence overall. Setting the tone for the summit, Denmark’s prime minister said the bloc is in a state of hybrid war.

“I think everyone underestimated how serious a threat Russia poses. We need to consider Ukraine as the first line of defence. We are doing a lot, but we need to move faster and expand in scale. I would say, by 2035 it will be too late. When we talk about Europe’s rearmament, we must be able to fully defend ourselves by 2030,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

The discussion about the so-called drone wall — a network designed to detect, intercept and shoot down aircraft that enter European airspace — was expected to be one of the most promising. The European Commission identified the project as a flagship. However, the initiative met a somewhat cool reception from Europe’s largest economies, with Germany and France among the sceptics.

Polish Prime Minister explained this by competition between industries and the capacities of developed countries seeking to protect their own interests. But no one, he said, doubted the idea itself. In the end, they agreed to keep negotiating. The project may be renamed, but work on defence initiatives will continue. Ukraine, a country with extensive modern military experience, is extending assistance to its partners. Ukrainian military personnel, skilled in detecting and neutralizing attack drones, are already sharing expertise in Denmark, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported. He urged his counterparts in Copenhagen to coordinate efforts and maintain pressure on Moscow.

Leaders also discussed a European Commission proposal to provide Ukraine with a so-called reparations loan worth €140 billion, backed by frozen Russian assets. Ukraine would repay the loan if Russia pays reparations. However, a number of countries called on the Commission to refine the idea. Belgium, where Russian assets are held in a depository, is particularly resistant, demanding that other states share the risks and insisting on legal protection in case of Russian lawsuits.

On the reparations loan, Denmark’s prime minister said there were “some technical issues that need to be resolved.” Chancellor Merz expressed optimism and expects a decision later this month, at the next EU summit at the end of October.