Ukraine Urges Europe to Act Against Escalating Russian Aggression

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that recent drone breaches across Europe show Russia is pushing for escalation, calling on European nations to stand united against Moscow's divide-and-conquer strategy. Speaking at an informal European summit in Copenhagen, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian soldiers have been deployed to Denmark to help investigate mysterious drone sightings - part of what he calls the first step toward building a continent-wide anti-drone defense wall.

The drone incidents have rattled European capitals. Poland reported around 20 drone incursions, while Romania and other nations have faced similar violations of their airspace. These breaches prompted Brussels to propose an EU-wide anti-drone defense system, though the idea has met mixed reactions from member states.

France's President Emmanuel Macron took a firm stance at the summit: "Drones that violate European airspace can be destroyed. Period." Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca echoed this sentiment, warning that his country's forces "will shoot down any new drone that violates our airspace."

But the proposal faces practical hurdles. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed reservations about the project's cost and questioned the EU's authority to implement such a system. Southern European countries worry they'll be sidelined in a defense initiative that primarily focuses on nations closer to Russia's borders.

Zelensky pushed back against this concern, saying the anti-drone wall should protect "all of Europe, not just one country." His comments highlight Ukraine's growing role as a drone technology developer after more than three years of war - expertise that could prove valuable for European defense.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin dismissed European concerns as manufactured hysteria. He accused Europe of using the drone incidents to justify increased defense spending, claiming Russia poses no threat and telling Europeans to "calm down." But Putin also issued a warning: "Russian retaliatory measures will not be delayed, and the response to this type of threat will be very strong."

The exchange reflects deeper tensions over European military buildup. Putin said Russia is "closely monitoring the growing militarization of Europe," framing the anti-drone initiative as part of broader European aggression rather than defensive preparation.

Zelensky used the summit to push for tighter sanctions on Moscow, particularly targeting oil exports that fund Russia's war machine. "Russia still has the resources to continue fighting, and this is not fair," he said, criticizing the use of oil tankers that already face sanctions. He argued these loopholes must be closed to limit Russia's ability to sustain its military operations.

The drone defense debate shows how the Ukraine conflict is reshaping European security thinking. What started as bilateral support for Ukraine is evolving into continent-wide defense planning, with countries weighing the costs and complexities of collective protection against new forms of warfare.