EU excludes Hungary Slovakia from eastern flank drone wall talks

The European Union is moving forward with plans to create a "drone wall" along its eastern border to enhance security against Russian airspace violations, with seven member states and Ukraine invited to a September 26 meeting led by European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. Hungary and Slovakia, the only EU countries bordering Ukraine excluded from the talks, have maintained closer ties with Russia, including continuing to import Russian crude oil and opposing increased arms shipments and sanctions against Moscow. These exclusions have caused tensions within the EU, as Slovakia's officials criticized being left out of the initiative despite the growing security threats evidenced by recent Russian drone incursions into EU airspace, including significant violations in Poland and Estonia. The drone wall proposal aims to establish a common network of sensors, defense systems, and electronic jamming capabilities, with Ukraine contributing its combat experience against Russian drones. The EU emphasizes that the current meeting focuses on assessing the needs and capabilities of participating countries, with potential for expanding the cooperation format in the future. This move reflects the EU's heightened focus on collective defense and cooperation in response to Russia's increasing aggression on the bloc's eastern flank.