EU Leaders Confront Russia’s Aggression: What Urgent Actions Will Shape European Security?

European leaders discussed Russia‘s aggression in Ukraine. They aimed to strengthen security, aid Ukraine, and deter further attacks.
Ursula von der Leyen walks forward, smiling, with security personnel behind her. Ursula von der Leyen walks forward, smiling, with security personnel behind her.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen arrives at Prague Castle. By roibu / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

  • European leaders at the European Political Community summit affirmed a unified resolve against Russia’s escalating aggression, emphasizing the need for strengthened European security, deterrence, and increased pressure through sanctions.
  • There is strong determination among EU leaders to continue aid to Ukraine and explore utilizing frozen Russian assets for reconstruction, complemented by a significant US policy shift to provide Ukraine with intelligence on long-range energy targets in Russia, influenced by Trump’s suggestions.
  • Russia’s aggression extends beyond Ukraine, manifesting in direct provocations such as drone incidents, cyberattacks, border incursions, and attempts to interfere in democratic processes across Europe, as highlighted by multiple leaders and recent events.
  • The Story So Far

  • The European Political Community summit was convened in response to Russia’s escalating and multifaceted aggression both in Ukraine and across the broader European continent, which leaders describe as an ongoing “war” rather than just a pre-war period. This urgent gathering reflects a shared conviction that Russia’s “unrelenting” interference will not cease unless confronted with robust deterrence and strengthened European security, thus driving discussions on fortifying collective defense, providing sustained aid to Ukraine, and exploring new measures to counter the perceived existential threat.
  • Why This Matters

  • The European Political Community summit in Copenhagen highlighted a unified and urgent European resolve to counter Russia’s escalating aggression, signaling a shift towards stronger deterrence, intensified financial pressure through sanctions, and exploring the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian aid, while a significant US policy shift—attributed to President Trump’s recent comments—to provide Ukraine with intelligence on Russian energy targets indicates a potentially widening and escalating conflict.
  • Who Thinks What?

  • A broad consensus among European leaders, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, asserts that Russia’s aggression poses an immediate and existential threat, necessitating strong European unity, enhanced deterrence, continued aid to Ukraine, swift sanctions, and the exploration of using frozen Russian assets.
  • Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán questions why Europe fears Russia, stating that the EU is “stronger,” suggesting a less alarmist view regarding the immediate threat.
  • The Belgian Prime Minister highlights ongoing legal complexities regarding the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukrainian aid, indicating potential challenges to this proposed measure.
  • More than 45 European leaders convened in Copenhagen on Thursday for the seventh European Political Community (EPC) summit, where urgent discussions focused on Russia’s escalating aggression in Ukraine and across Europe. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen opened the proceedings, asserting that Russia “will not stop until they are forced to do so,” setting a somber tone for talks centered on strengthening European security and deterrence.

    European Unity and Deterrence

    The summit saw strong warnings from several leaders about the immediate threat posed by Russia. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen underscored the necessity for Europe to become “so strong that war against us becomes unthinkable.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that Europe is currently facing “a war,” not merely a pre-war period, citing daily security incidents in his country and stating, “if Ukraine loses, it means our failure.”

    French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Russia’s failure to achieve its primary objectives in Ukraine and called for “more unpredictability” and “strategic ambiguity” in European deterrence. He suggested that drones violating European territories could be destroyed without prior notice to preserve air and territorial integrity. Macron also advocated for the swift adoption of a 19th package of sanctions against Russia and increased pressure on its “shadow fleet” to cut off war financing.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told leaders that Europe is in a “new reality,” warning that recent drone incidents across the continent indicate Russia’s continued boldness to escalate the conflict. He urged fast-track adoption of the 19th sanctions package and called for support for President Trump’s suggestion to halt European purchases of Russian oil. President Zelenskyy also pushed for the opening of formal EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova.

    UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who departed early due to a synagogue attack in Manchester, emphasized President Putin’s “unrelenting” appetite for interference across Europe, extending beyond Ukraine to airspace and cyberattacks. He stressed that the conflict is a matter of shared European values and freedoms.

    Aid to Ukraine and Russian Assets

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reported a “great determination” among EU leaders to continue helping Ukraine and to utilize frozen Russian assets for aid. He indicated a “very strong agreement” to explore these options, with a concrete decision anticipated at the next European Council meeting in late October. Merz warned that President Putin “should not underestimate our determination.”

    However, the Belgian Prime Minister reiterated legal questions surrounding the use of frozen Russian assets, suggesting continued complexities in the discussions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán questioned why Europe fears Russia, insisting the EU is “stronger,” while the Irish Prime Minister warned of a “degree of naivety” in Ireland regarding the “existential” Russian threat.

    Recent Incidents and Policy Shifts

    Amidst the high-level talks, several incidents highlighted the ongoing tensions. The Polish border force responded to a Russian fishing boat observed near a gas pipeline off Szczecin. Separately, Russia was accused of deliberately sabotaging the last power line into the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, with satellite imagery reportedly showing no evidence of Ukrainian shelling that Moscow had claimed was impeding repairs. The plant is currently relying on back-up diesel generators for cooling.

    Reports also indicated a significant policy shift from the United States, which plans to provide Ukraine with intelligence on long-range energy infrastructure targets deep inside Russia. This move is attributed to recent comments by President Trump suggesting Ukraine could reclaim occupied territories. No decision has been made on supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine.

    Further demonstrating the pressure on Russia’s operations, the Chinese captain of the ‘Boracay,’ a Benin-flagged tanker from Russia’s “shadow fleet” blacklisted by the EU, is to be tried in a French court for refusing to comply with French authorities.

    Moldova’s Resilience

    Moldovan President Maia Sandu detailed Russia’s attempts to interfere with her country’s democratic process through disinformation and corruption. She expressed hope that Moldova’s success in resisting these efforts would encourage other nations, asserting that if “a small and fragile democracy” like Moldova could resist, then “everybody can do it.”

    The Copenhagen summit underscored a unified European resolve to confront Russia’s multifaceted aggression, bolster Ukraine’s defense, and enhance collective security. Leaders emphasized the urgent need for decisive action, from sanctions and military aid to strengthening deterrence and addressing direct provocations to safeguard European stability.

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