World

Beyond Sanctions: How European Leaders Plan to Counter Russia’s Aggression

Macron urged action vs Russia: destroy drones, seize “shadow fleet” ships, and increase sanctions at EPC summit.

October 3, 2025, 10:25 AM

A soldier in camouflage lies in a trench, operating a drone remote control with a smartphone attached

A soldier in camouflage gear, equipped with a helmet and balaclava, is situated in a trench, intently operating a drone remote control. By Melnikov Dmitriy / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

French President Emmanuel Macron urged aggressive measures against Russia, including destroying drones violating European airspace and boarding “shadow fleet” ships to curtail Moscow’s war revenue.

European leaders at the EPC summit adopted a hardened collective stance against Russia, driven by concerns over drone incidents, sabotage, cyber-attacks, and sanction-busting activities.

Leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, called for increased economic pressure through further sanctions on Russia’s energy sector and “shadow fleet,” alongside robust support for Ukraine with air defenses and long-range missiles.

The Story So Far

European leaders convened amid escalating concerns over Russia’s ongoing aggression, including its war in Ukraine, recent drone violations, acts of sabotage, and cyber-attacks across the continent, which they increasingly perceive as a direct threat to European values and security. A key objective of the discussions was to significantly curtail Russia’s ability to finance its war effort by targeting the “shadow fleet” of ships suspected of illicitly transporting oil, which is estimated to fund a substantial portion of Russia’s military operations.

Why This Matters

The European Political Community summit signals a significant shift towards a more assertive and unified European strategy against Russia, potentially leading to direct military actions like destroying drones violating European airspace and intercepting “shadow fleet” vessels, which aims to severely disrupt Russia’s war financing. This hardening stance, coupled with calls for escalated economic sanctions and robust military aid to Ukraine, underscores a collective determination to protect European interests and values, with consequences for both regional security and global energy markets.

Who Thinks What?

French President Emmanuel Macron advocates for a more aggressive and unpredictable posture against Russia, suggesting the destruction of drones violating European airspace and the boarding of “shadow fleet” ships to cut Moscow’s war revenue.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasize the urgent and collective determination to confront Russia, warning that Russia poses a threat to all of Europe and will not stop unless forced, urging Europe to abandon its naivety.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls for escalating economic pressure on Russia through further sanctions, particularly targeting its energy sector and “shadow fleet,” while also advocating for continued robust support for Ukraine with increased air defenses, long-range missiles, and anti-drone capabilities.

European leaders convened in Copenhagen on Thursday, October 2, 2025, for a European Political Community (EPC) summit, where French President Emmanuel Macron urged a more aggressive posture against Russia. Macron called for the destruction of drones violating European airspace and the boarding of “shadow fleet” ships suspected of illicitly transporting oil, aiming to significantly curtail Moscow’s war revenue.

Hardening Stance Against Russia

The summit, hosted by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, saw leaders from over 40 European nations discussing heightened concerns over Russia’s actions. Discussions focused on recent drone incidents, acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, and sanction-busting activities across the continent. A closed session without phones or advisors reportedly led to a hardened collective stance.

President Macron advocated for “more unpredictability and more strategic ambiguity” in dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stated that drones violating European territories “can be destroyed,” emphasizing that European nations would act without prior notice. Macron cited a recent French intervention against an oil tanker on the EU’s shadow fleet sanction list, leading to the detention of two crew members, as an effective measure.

Macron highlighted that the “shadow fleet” finances “30 to 40% of the war effort” for Russia. He suggested that seizing these ships for even a short period could severely disrupt their operational efficiency and reduce Russia’s financial capacity.

Calls for Increased Sanctions and Support for Ukraine

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that “Russia will not stop until they are forced to do so.” She warned that Russia poses “a threat not only to Ukraine but to all of us” and urged Europe to abandon its naivety, recognizing the conflict as a broader war against European values and freedom.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed a strong sense of unity and determination among the leaders. He stated that Putin “should not underestimate our determination” to confront Russian aggression collectively. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed these sentiments, urging leaders to shed any “illusions” about Russia’s intentions and emphasizing that the conflict is a complex, new type of war.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of escalating economic pressure on Russia through further sanctions, particularly targeting its energy sector and the “shadow fleet.” Starmer also called for continued robust support for Ukraine, advocating for increased provisions of air defenses, long-range missiles, and anti-drone capabilities to strengthen the country’s defensive position.

Collective Resolve

The European Political Community summit concluded with a clear message of heightened vigilance and a unified commitment to counter Russia’s multifaceted aggression. Leaders expressed a collective determination to protect European interests through a combination of assertive military readiness, economic pressure, and unwavering support for Ukraine.