The EU’s 27 member states are set to meet at the regular European Council summit in Brussels at the end of October to advance a pan-European defense initiative, aimed at countering Russia’s aggressive actions against member countries. An initial discussion took place yesterday in Copenhagen, where the Greek government proposed extending the EU’s defense ‘umbrella’ over all member states—a position that has now gained approval. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed late last night that the EU’s plan now includes a comprehensive, continent-wide anti-drone shield.
“We all agree that Europe needs a real shift in how it thinks and acts on defense, including a precise, pan-European plan. Today we discussed Europe’s roadmap for readiness by 2030, with clear milestones and targets. Because only what is measured becomes action,” said von der Leyen from Copenhagen, where security was heightened due to recent drone incursions suspected to be linked to Russia.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized that any collective European defense effort must cover the entire continent, not just its eastern borders. “Europe’s security must be viewed holistically—this means protecting southeastern and southern borders as well, ensuring our continent is fully shielded against any future threats,” he stated upon arrival at the informal summit.
Mitsotakis stressed the urgency for Europe to mobilize resources and move “from words to action” in building a unified defense framework. He highlighted lessons from Ukraine, underscoring the critical role of new technologies in modern warfare and calling on Europe to lead in defense innovation. Greece, he noted, is already advancing in this direction through the Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK).
The European Commission presented four flagship defense projects for discussion:
– A European anti-drone shield
– A continental air defense (anti-missile) system
– An Eastern Border Surveillance Observatory
– A space-based defense shield
These proposals will be thoroughly debated at the upcoming European Council summit on October 23–24 in Brussels, alongside discussions on using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Today’s meeting of the European Political Community, gathering 40 leaders across Europe, also addresses migration, economic security, and reducing strategic dependencies. Mitsotakis will speak at a roundtable on migration, joined by top EU officials and leaders from Italy, Portugal, Malta, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Andorra.
Additionally, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have convened an informal session to launch the European Coalition Against Drugs, following its proposal at the previous summit, aiming to strengthen cross-border cooperation in combating drug trafficking.