EU Leaders Meet in Denmark Amid Rising Drone Threats and Ukraine Funding Talks

EU leaders are set to convene in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Wednesday to discuss strengthening Europe’s defences and boosting Ukraine’s financial firepower, amid a surge of mysterious drone flights that have heightened fears over potential Russian threats.

Thousands of police are on high alert, civilian drones have been banned, and NATO allies have dispatched reinforcements as the continent prepares for the summit, followed by a broader gathering of European leaders on Thursday.

Denmark, currently holding the EU’s rotating presidency, has recently experienced disruptions caused by unidentified drones that shut down airports and flew near military sites.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the incidents as a “hybrid attack”, though authorities have yet to confirm the perpetrator.

The incidents have drawn attention to weaknesses in Europe’s defences, particularly after previous air incursions by Moscow in Poland and Estonia.

EU leaders are set to finalise details for priority defence projects, including a proposed “drone wall” designed to counter Russian drone threats.

• Defence ministers from ten mostly eastern EU countries began talks last week to develop a system capable of detecting and neutralising drones.
• The European Political Community summit on Thursday will include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tapping Ukraine’s war-tested expertise.

“Europe must deliver a strong and united response to Russia’s drone incursions at our borders,” said EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday.

The Wednesday discussion represents a step in the EU’s strategy to prepare for potential conflict with Russia by 2030, amid concerns Moscow may strike in the coming years.

The 27-nation bloc has already created a €150 billion loan scheme for defence spending, with eastern EU countries taking the largest share.

Key “flagship” projects under consideration:

A central topic for leaders is how to fund Ukraine’s ongoing defence against Russia’s invasion.

Brussels has proposed tapping frozen Russian central bank assets to create a €140 billion loan package for Kyiv.

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed the importance of keeping focus on Ukraine: “Putin wants to have us talking about ourselves, not about Ukraine… not to push back Russia in Ukraine.”

Officials hope leaders will approve continued work on the plan, though some caution that positions remain conditional.

“The positions are not necessarily black and white, no and yes. Some may say they could ponder going down that road if certain conditions are met,” a senior EU official said.

Officials are also trying to ensure Ukraine’s EU accession bid stays on track, despite a block from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his pro-Russian stance.

European Council chief Antonio Costa, chairing the summit, has been seeking support for a plan preventing any single country from vetoing each step of Ukraine’s negotiations.

“No leader to this day has replied with a total ‘no’, in a totally negative way to this idea,” said an EU official.

However, achieving this will require consent from Orban and all other member states, making it a complex political challenge.