Macron Urges Increased Pressure on Russia Amid Drone Threat & Ukraine Funding Debate
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – As Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Copenhagen Thursday for a European summit, French President Emmanuel Macron called for increased pressure on Russia, highlighting the need to address recent airspace violations and bolster support for Ukraine. The summit, a gathering of twenty European leaders within the framework of the European Political Community (CPE), is taking place against a backdrop of heightened security concerns following multiple russian incursions into European airspace and the sighting of unidentified drones over Copenhagen.
“They threaten us, they put us to the test, and they will not stop,” Danish prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned Wednesday evening, referencing Russia’s actions.
In response to the escalating threat, European nations are working to implement an “antidrone wall,” leveraging Ukrainian expertise in the process. The CPE, launched by Macron in 2022, brings together nearly all European leaders excluding those from Russia and Belarus, and is currently focused on both security and continued aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky is hoping for reaffirmed commitments from European allies, particularly regarding Ukraine’s eventual EU membership.”Europe must keep its promises – just as the candidate countries make their part. Thank you, and we are counting on results,” Zelensky stated on X, echoing remarks made Wednesday via video conference to EU leaders.
However, progress on Ukraine’s EU accession remains stalled due to a Hungarian veto, requiring unanimous agreement from all twenty-seven EU member states.
Financial support for Kyiv is also a key topic of discussion. Macron emphasized the importance of providing “visibility to Ukraine in terms of funding.” The European Commission has proposed utilizing frozen Russian assets in Europe to finance a €140 billion loan to Ukraine, to be repaid only if Russia contributes to war reparations. While most EU countries support the proposal,Belgium,where the majority of these frozen assets are held,has expressed reluctance.
