Copenhagen Summit: Europe Grows More United Against Russia

European Union leaders, headed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, have proposed the creation of a joint EU “drone wall” along the bloc’s eastern borders. The informal EU summit, held in Copenhagen, focused primarily on the recent drone incursions, energy security, and continued support for Ukraine.

 European Leaders Speak Out

 French President Emmanuel Macron declared that illegal drone entries must be treated as acts of aggression, stressing that Europe has entered “a new era of security.” He voiced strong support for the establishment of joint EU air and drone defense systems. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that “if Ukraine falls, it will be Europe’s defeat as well.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed the sentiment, asserting that Europe is already engaged in a “hybrid war” and must build a tighter continental defense network. Frederiksen briefly referred to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, pointedly remarking: “I will not allow one country—especially Orbán—to decide Europe’s future.”

 Zelensky: “No More Time for Compromise”

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the summit via video message, urging EU member states to cut all remaining ties with Russia. In his speech, he indirectly referenced Hungary, criticizing Budapest for blocking Ukraine’s EU accession talks for months. “Some still live in the shadows of the past, while Europe’s future burns in flames,” Zelensky said. Diplomatic sources noted that Hungary abstained from several points in the draft communiqué that called for the rapid reduction of Russian energy dependence and increased military aid to Ukraine.

 Rising Hungarian Resistance

The summit also revisited the use of profits from frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine, as well as the issue of achieving full European independence from Russian energy. France, Germany, and Denmark all endorsed the proposal, but Prime Minister Orbán rejected it, arguing that sanctions have so far failed to produce results. Orbán reiterated that Hungary’s economic stability depends heavily on Russian energy, and that any sudden cutoff would cripple the Hungarian economy. At the close of the summit, European Council President António Costa stated that “Copenhagen was the moment of Europe’s security unity.” However, Hungary did not fully endorse the joint declaration, attaching reservations to several paragraphs. According to Brussels diplomats, Hungary’s position is becoming increasingly isolated within EU decision-making circles, while the rest of Europe is moving rapidly toward greater coordination in defense and energy policy. The Copenhagen Summit thus marks the beginning of a new era in European security policy: under the shadow of war and drone threats, Europe is tightening its cooperation—while Hungary continues to advocate dialogue between the warring sides.