EU Leaders Back Drone Wall, Debate Russian Assets

European leaders meeting in Copenhagen — nearly 50 leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — gave broad support to a proposed multilayer “drone wall” and related measures (Eastern Flank Watch, Air Defence Shield and Defence Space Shield) after a wave of unexplained drone and airspace incursions that disrupted Danish airports and were reported in Poland, Estonia, Romania and elsewhere. Leaders stressed urgency to strengthen surveillance, neutralisation and defence production and the European Commission pledged €2 billion to boost Ukraine’s drone production. Defence firms such as Saab and BAE Systems signalled willingness to help develop multi‑layered detection and counter‑drone systems. Delegations debated financing, including a contentious proposal to tap frozen Russian central‑bank assets to back an approximately €140 billion loan to Kyiv, which drew support from some states and reservations from others. France also carried out an operational response, boarding a Benin‑flagged tanker suspected of being used as a drone launch platform. While leaders signalled momentum and “broad support,” legal, political and funding disputes mean projects and financing still require detailed negotiations and an uncertain timeline.