European Union leaders discussed plans on Wednesday to bolster the bloc’s eastern defences against Russian drones but some said the focus should be broader, as they met in Copenhagen days after airspace intrusions by unmanned aircraft rattled Denmark.
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European authorities have accused Russia of brazen violations of the region’s airspace, including with recent incursions by drones over Poland and fighter planes over Estonia.
Denmark has stopped short of saying who it believes is responsible for the incidents in its airspace last week, which disrupted air traffic at multiple airports, but Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has suggested it could be Moscow.
The incidents highlighted how EU leaders have come to view Russia as a major threat to their continent’s security following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and have accelerated efforts to strengthen their defences.
US President Donald Trump has long demanded that Europe take more responsibility for its own security and for Ukraine.
Poland shoots down Russian drones
Poland shoots down Russian drones
“Russia tries to test us. But Russia also tries to sow division and anxiety in our societies. We will not let this happen,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said as she arrived at the European Union summit in Copenhagen.