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Zelensky in Copenhagen: How Ukraine’s Experience Tackles Europe’s Drone Threat and Fast-Tracks EU Bid

Zelensky in Copenhagen: Discussing security, EU accession, and aiding Denmark against drone threats.

October 2, 2025, 9:12 AM

European and Balkan leaders, including President Zelenskyy, gather for a photo

Leaders from the EU, Western Balkans, and Ukraine, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gather for a group photograph during a summit in Athens, Greece. By Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com.

Executive Summary

President Volodymyr Zelensky is attending the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Copenhagen to address leaders on Ukraine’s geopolitical challenges and European integration aspirations.

Ukraine has offered its extensive war experience to assist Denmark in countering drone threats, with joint counter-drone exercises already underway.

Zelensky is actively pushing for the opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine and Moldova’s accession to the EU, following a completed bilateral screening.

The Story So Far

President Zelensky’s participation in the European Political Community summit is primarily driven by Ukraine’s persistent efforts to secure EU accession, a process recommended by the European Commission in late 2023 and endorsed by the European Council. His visit also underscores a broader European concern over security, particularly regarding drone threats, where Ukraine’s extensive wartime experience offers valuable assistance to nations like Denmark, making the summit a critical forum for advancing both Ukraine’s integration and collective security.

Why This Matters

President Zelensky’s visit to the European Political Community summit underscores Ukraine’s active role in both immediate European security and long-term integration, offering its extensive war experience to help counter emerging drone threats across the continent while simultaneously pushing for the acceleration of EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova.

Who Thinks What?

President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine are actively seeking deeper European integration, including the opening of accession negotiations for EU membership, and are offering Ukraine’s war experience to assist European nations like Denmark in countering drone threats.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Denmark are hosting President Zelensky, engaging in bilateral meetings, and are receiving security cooperation from Ukraine to address recent drone sightings.

The European Commission and European Council have recommended and endorsed the start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with further approval from EU member states awaited for future negotiation clusters.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Copenhagen on October 2 to attend the European Political Community (EPC) summit at the Bella Center, where he is expected to address approximately 50 heads of state and government, alongside EU officials. His visit commenced with a bilateral meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, with a joint press conference anticipated later in the day.

Zelensky’s Agenda at the Summit

The Ukrainian leader’s participation in the high-level forum underscores ongoing European discussions on critical political and security issues. His address is set to highlight Ukraine’s perspectives amidst current geopolitical challenges and its aspirations for deeper European integration.

Security Cooperation Amid Drone Threats

Zelensky’s visit coincides with heightened security concerns in Denmark, following a series of recent drone sightings that temporarily closed airports. Ukraine has offered its extensive war experience to assist Denmark in countering these unmanned aerial vehicle threats, with joint counter-drone exercises involving Ukrainian military specialists already underway since September 29.

Speaking to journalists, Zelensky emphasized that Europe currently faces a significant drone threat. He affirmed Ukraine’s readiness to provide support, stating, “Ukraine has relevant experience due to the war… Of course, we will not stand aside.”

Push for EU Accession

The visit follows Zelensky’s remote appearance at an informal EU summit a day prior, where he urged leaders to open the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine and Moldova’s accession. A bilateral screening, completed earlier this week, will form the basis for future accession talks and is awaiting approval from EU member states after presentation by the European Commission.

The European Commission initially recommended the start of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova in November 2023, a move subsequently endorsed by the European Council in December of the same year.

Outlook on European Integration and Security

President Zelensky’s presence at the Copenhagen summit highlights Ukraine’s active engagement in European political dialogue, focusing on both immediate security challenges and the long-term goal of EU membership. His discussions with European leaders aim to solidify support for Ukraine’s defense capabilities and advance its path towards full integration into the European Union.