Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned European leaders that recent Russian drone incursions signal a dangerous escalation of the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Speaking at a security conference in Copenhagen on Thursday, Zelensky stated, “The recent drone incidents across Europe are a clear sign that Russia still feels bold enough to escalate this war.” He emphasized that Moscow’s aggression was never limited to Ukraine, adding, “Russia has always aimed to break the West and Europe.”
The meeting brought together nearly 50 European leaders under heightened security, following a series of mysterious drone flights over Denmark and airspace violations in Estonia and Poland. These events have raised concerns that the war in Ukraine could increasingly spill into neighboring regions.
Zelensky offered Ukraine’s hard-earned expertise to help Europe bolster its defenses, noting, “If the Russians dare to launch drones against Poland, or violate the airspace of northern European countries, it means this can happen anywhere. We are ready to share this experience with our partners.”
In response, European leaders are discussing plans for a coordinated “drone wall” to counter the threat from Moscow. French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for a firm stance, declaring, “It’s very important to have a clear message. Drones which would violate our territories are just taking a big risk. They can be destroyed, full stop.” Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă similarly warned that his forces would shoot down any future drones violating Romanian airspace.
As the war enters its fourth year, the conference also focused on sustaining financial pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine. Macron highlighted the importance of targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, which circumvents sanctions, stating that undermining this system is essential to reducing Russia’s ability to fund its war effort.
Meanwhile, the EU is exploring a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to secure a substantial loan for Ukraine, ensuring that Russia—not European taxpayers—bears the financial cost. However, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed caution, noting the plan enters “uncharted waters” and requires shared liability among EU nations to mitigate risks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen committed to intensifying talks on the proposal.
