Denmark, a country that has recently experienced a series of mysterious drone sightings over sensitive locations, is preparing to welcome numerous European leaders for a critical two-day event. The gathering will focus on defense initiatives, including the potential development of a “drone wall” and continued support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
The 27 EU leaders are scheduled to meet first on Wednesday in Copenhagen for an informal European Council summit. This will be followed by the European Political Community (EPC) meeting on Thursday, which will bring together over 40 heads of state from across Europe.
To ensure security during this period, Danish authorities have implemented a complete ban on civilian drone flights. This measure was introduced after several incidents where unidentified drones caused airport closures and were spotted near military bases. The timing of these events is particularly significant as it coincides with the high-level discussions among EU leaders about strengthening the eastern flank and accelerating defense projects before the end of the decade.
Ahead of the summit, the European Commission released a Scoping Paper outlining four key projects that require urgent funding and implementation. These include:
- A European drone wall
- An Eastern Flank Watch
- An Air Defence Shield
- A Defence Space Shield
The concept of a “drone wall” has already been discussed at a meeting last week, where 10 member states from the eastern flank met with NATO Chief Mark Rutte as an observer. This discussion followed airspace violations reported in Poland, Estonia, and Romania, all attributed to Russia. However, the recent drone sightings in Denmark have not yet been officially linked to any specific source.
Creating such a defensive system is a complex task, requiring a layered approach that includes both long-range and short-range air defense systems. According to the French presidential palace, using fighter jets to neutralize low-cost drones is not a sustainable solution in the long term. Instead, the focus should be on developing an effective and financially viable system that can learn from the experiences in Ukraine.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of implementing a drone wall within the next three to four years. He emphasized the need for the EU to prioritize and expand its defense capabilities rather than focusing solely on the drone wall concept.
Points of contention
On the topic of defense capabilities, EU leaders will also discuss the SAFE loan program, which has a total budget of €150 billion. This initiative aims to enhance joint procurement, improve interoperability among member states, and strengthen the European defense industry. To qualify for funding, at least two member states must purchase the same European-made equipment from a list of nine priority areas, including drones and anti-drone technology.
Two-thirds of the funds have been requested and allocated to eastern nations, some of which have already expressed interest in grants for defense projects. This could lead to disagreements with other member states. Despite these challenges, a senior EU official emphasized that the focus is currently on implementing the agreed financial instruments, starting with the SAFE program.
Another potential point of debate is the European Commission’s proposal for its services to play a larger role in defense. This would involve an annual review of member states’ purchases to facilitate coordination and address capability gaps. Larger countries like Germany, France, and Italy may be hesitant about this idea, while smaller countries with limited military resources may be more supportive.
Ukraine’s accession and financing
Ukraine will be a central topic of discussion, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to participate in the meetings. Leaders will explore ways to continue providing financial support to Ukraine and maintain momentum in its EU accession process.
A senior EU official mentioned the need to structure financing for Ukraine beyond 2024, given the lack of prospects for peace talks. The use of nearly €200 billion in frozen Russian assets held in the EU will also be considered, although this remains a complex issue with significant financial and legal implications.
European Council President Antonio Costa will initiate discussions on whether to amend the rules for Ukraine’s accession. Currently, each step of the process requires unanimous approval, but Hungary has blocked the opening of the first cluster of negotiations due to concerns about energy security, agriculture, and the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Changing this rule would still require unanimity, but there is hope that it may be possible.
A second, larger summit
Ukraine and the broader security situation in Europe will also be central themes at the EPC summit on Thursday. This event will bring together EU leaders along with heads of state from the wider continent, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and leaders from the Western Balkans and the Caucasus.
Discussions will cover traditional and hybrid threats, economy, security, and migration. There will also be opportunities for bilateral or multilateral meetings to address other areas of interest. For example, France and Italy will co-chair a meeting focused on forming a European coalition against drug trafficking.
