EU leaders have gathered in Copenhagen under growing pressure to strengthen European defence following a series of Russian airspace incursions and drone disruptions at Danish airports.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europe faces a direct threat. “From a European perspective there is only one country willing to threaten us and that is Russia, and therefore we need a very strong answer back,” she told reporters.
Countries on the EU’s eastern flank, including Poland and Estonia, have been most affected by the incursions. Several member states now back plans for a multi-layered “drone wall” designed to detect, track, and neutralize Russian drones.
Security around the summit has been tightened. Civilian drone flights are banned until Friday, and strict traffic restrictions are in place across Copenhagen. The city is also hosting a broader European Political Community summit, with international allies providing extra surveillance and anti-drone support.
Last week, Copenhagen airport and several military sites on the Jutland peninsula faced drone disruption. Denmark’s military confirmed that ten allies are assisting with air defence and monitoring, including Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, and the US. A German frigate has also docked in Copenhagen to reinforce security.
While Danish police have not directly linked the incidents to Russia, Frederiksen tied the disruptions to Moscow’s wider pattern of hybrid attacks in Europe, pointing to drone incursions over Poland. “The war in Ukraine is very serious. When I look at Europe today I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War—not the Cold War any more,” she said.
European leaders echoed the warnings. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the situation as increasingly grave, noting recent drone sightings in northern Germany, Lithuania, and Norway. “We are not at war, but we are no longer at peace either. We must do much more for our own security,” he told reporters.
Sweden has provided powerful radar systems to Denmark for the summit week, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv is sending a team to share frontline experience in drone defence.
With dozens of European leaders meeting over two days, Denmark is determined to prevent any further disruptions and demonstrate unity in the face of security challenges.