COPENHAGEN: European leaders meeting in Copenhagen warned that Russia is escalating a hybrid war across the continent and moved to bolster air defenses, including a proposed “drone wall,” while weighing a loan for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian assets.

Europe “is in the middle of a hybrid war waged by Russia,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said as she hosted the summit. “I hope that everybody recognizes now that there is a hybrid war and one day it’s Poland, the other day it’s Denmark, and next week it will probably be somewhere else that we see sabotage or we see drones flying,” AP reported.

Drone incursions prompt defense push

The meeting followed a string of drone incidents at Danish airports and military sites. A special radar system was set up at Copenhagen airport after unidentified drones forced a closure last week. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom sent aircraft, ships, and air defenses to Denmark. At the same time, Ukraine dispatched a mission to share expertise on combating drones, according to the AP.

Reuters reported Frederiksen calling for a European network of anti-drone measures to “protect and, of course, also neutralize intrusion from outside.” He went on to add, “Europe must be able to defend itself.”

EU considers frozen assets plan

Leaders discussed preparing Europe to deter Russian aggression by 2030 amid concerns about the United States’ focus elsewhere. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the gathering by video as leaders considered ways to sustain military and financial support.

A European Commission proposal for a “reparation loan” to Ukraine, backed by frozen Russian assets, was a central topic. “We are not confiscating the assets, but we are taking the cash balances for a loan to Ukraine,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Rising security concerns

Recent airspace incidents sharpened urgency. Several Russian drones breached Poland’s airspace on Sept. 10, prompting North Atlantic Treaty Organization aircraft to intercept some devices in what officials described as the first direct encounter with Moscow’s hardware since 2022. Days later, NATO jets escorted three Russian warplanes out of Estonia’s airspace.

Call to rearm

AP reported Frederiksen urged Europe to “rearm,” buy capabilities, and innovate on drones. “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,” she said.

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EU leaders in Denmark call for drone defense, Ukraine funding