COPENHAGEN – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to European leaders, stating that recent drone incursions across multiple countries signal a clear attempt by Russia to escalate its aggression beyond Ukraine’s borders. Speaking at a high-level summit attended by leaders from nearly 50 nations, Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for European unity and offered Ukraine’s battle-tested expertise to help counter Moscow’s evolving drone tactics.
The summit, held in Copenhagen under heightened security, came just weeks after mysterious drone sightings unsettled Denmark, with similar incidents reported in Estonia, Poland, and Romania. These incursions have heightened fears that the war in Ukraine could spill into broader Europe.
“The recent drone incidents across Europe are a clear sign that Russia still feels bold enough to escalate this war,” Zelensky said during his address. “It was never just about Ukraine—Russia has always aimed to break the West and Europe.”
Zelensky: “We Are Ready to Share Our Expertise”
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fourth year, Zelensky continues to position his country not just as a victim of aggression but as a vital partner in Europe’s defense. With Ukraine having repelled thousands of Russian drone and missile attacks, Zelensky offered to share Ukraine’s defensive strategies and technological insights with European allies.
“If the Russians dare to launch drones against Poland, or violate the airspace of northern European countries, it means this can happen anywhere,” he warned. “We are ready to share this experience with our partners.”
Several European leaders echoed Zelensky’s concerns and welcomed his offer of cooperation. Plans are now being discussed for a coordinated “drone wall” — a defensive initiative designed to bolster European airspace security through radar surveillance, anti-drone systems, and rapid response units.
In response to Zelensky’s comments and growing European alarm, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the accusations and accused Europe of fueling unnecessary “hysteria.” Speaking from Moscow, Putin claimed that Russia posed no threat but was “closely monitoring the rising militarisation of Europe.”
He also warned that Moscow’s response to these developments would be both “timely” and “significant.”
“They [European leaders] are using this hysteria to justify increased military spending. But Russia will not remain passive,” Putin said.
Leaders attending the summit made it clear they are not taking the drone incursions lightly. French President Emmanuel Macron backed Zelensky’s call for stronger action, suggesting that drones violating European airspace should be destroyed without hesitation.
“It’s very important to have a clear message. Drones that violate our territories are taking a big risk — they can and should be destroyed, full stop,” Macron stated.
Romania’s Prime Minister also expressed readiness to take immediate action, following confirmed reports of Russian drones crossing into Romanian airspace.
“Next time it happens, we will shoot them down,” warned Prime Minister Nicosur Dan.
Beyond military defense, Zelensky and his allies are pushing for tighter economic sanctions to choke off Russia’s ability to fund its war effort. One major area of focus is the so-called “shadow fleet” — a network of aging oil tankers that allow Russia to bypass Western sanctions and continue exporting oil.
President Macron reinforced the need to “kill” this business model by increasing pressure on the fleet. France recently detained a blacklisted tanker linked to Russian interests as part of this effort.
“It is extremely important to increase the pressure on this shadow fleet because it clearly reduces Russia’s capacity to finance this war,” Macron said.
In a bid to further support Ukraine, the European Union is exploring the idea of using frozen Russian assets to back a €140 billion loan aimed at helping Kyiv meet urgent financial needs. The proposal has sparked debate, with some leaders backing the plan as a fair way to make Russia pay for the damage it has caused.
However, Belgium — which holds the majority of the frozen assets — has voiced concerns about legal risks and potential retaliation from Moscow.
“We’re entering uncharted waters. This is very, very risky,” said Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who demanded assurances that other EU nations would share any liability stemming from the move.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the risk but expressed her commitment to moving discussions forward.
“The burden cannot fall solely on Belgium. We will intensify talks to find a balanced solution,” she said.
With Russian drones increasingly testing the boundaries of European airspace, Zelensky’s warnings are resonating more strongly than ever among EU leaders. As Ukraine remains on the frontlines, Zelensky is cementing his position as a key figure in shaping Europe’s collective security response to Russian aggression.
As the war continues, the Copenhagen summit marked another turning point — not only in highlighting the ongoing threat from Moscow but also in solidifying Ukraine’s role as both a partner and a protector in Europe’s broader defense strategy.
Source- EWN
