Today, EU commissioners convene for a “security college” session dedicated to defence and security matters, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participating in the discussions.

This gathering occurs amid escalating unease over drone activity detected in European skies, particularly disrupting regions in the Nordic countries. Although the origin of these drones remains uncertain, their presence has triggered heightened alertness. Denmark, preparing to host two significant European summits this week, has promptly bolstered its aerial defence systems to protect these events.

Earlier in September, several nations in Central and Eastern Europe reported Russian incursions into their airspace, including an incident where over 20 drones entered Poland and three MiG fighter jets breached Estonian airspace.

Addressing the press in Brussels moments ago, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized, “Europe must present a resolute and unified stance against Russia’s drone violations along our borders,” underscoring the urgency of advancing the development of a “drone shield” to enhance continental security.

NATO’s Mark Rutte echoed this sentiment, highlighting that while investigations continue regarding the drone incidents in Denmark, “it is unequivocal that Russia is responsible for the incursions into Poland and Estonia.”

“We are still determining whether these actions were deliberate. Regardless, such recklessness is intolerable and must be addressed.”

Von der Leyen also praised Ukraine’s steadfastness, noting that despite ongoing hostilities, the country has “lost almost no ground this year.” She affirmed that EU sanctions are effective and announced plans to intensify measures with the forthcoming 19th sanctions package targeting Moscow.

The EU and Ukraine have agreed on allocating €2 billion towards drone capabilities, enabling Ukraine to fully leverage its operational potential. Importantly, von der Leyen revealed the EU’s intention to advance “reparation loans” funded by frozen Russian assets, part of which will support the European defence sector.

She elaborated on the loan mechanism:

“Disbursements will be made in installments, contingent on specific conditions. We will also reinforce our defence industry by ensuring a portion of these funds is spent on European procurement. Crucially, these assets are not being confiscated. Ukraine is responsible for repaying the loan if Russia fulfills its reparations obligations. The aggressor must be held accountable.“

Further security deliberations are anticipated throughout the day, including sessions at the Warsaw Security Forum’s second day, featuring contributions from ministers and US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg.

Stay tuned here for continuous updates.

Tuesday, 30 September 2025 – reporting by Jakub Krupa for Europe Live.

Good morning.

In a significant development, Jian Guo, who previously served as an aide to Maximilian Krah, a far-right member of the European Parliament representing Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison on Tuesday. The Dresden court convicted Guo of espionage activities conducted for Chinese intelligence services during his tenure with Krah.

Concluding a panel discussion, US special envoy Keith Kellogg articulated America’s stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating:

“Our foremost objective is to halt the largest land war Europe has witnessed since the Second World War.”

“This conflict is characterized by industrial-scale warfare, with casualties numbering in the hundreds of thousands, far surpassing previous conflicts such as Afghanistan and Vietnam.”

“The staggering human cost underscores the urgent need for a resolution to this war.”

Keith Kellogg shed light on the recent US-Belarus deal, which involved the release of political detainees in exchange for easing certain sanctions on Minsk. Kellogg clarified that the primary aim was to establish reliable communication lines with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who maintains frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He explained, “Our goal was to ensure open channels to effectively convey our messages to President Putin, rather than initially securing the release of political prisoners.”

Kellogg acknowledged the positive outcome of freeing some detainees but emphasized that the overarching objective was to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that Belarusian state airline Belavia’s aircraft are maintained safely and not used for illicit activities, such as transporting migrants into Europe.

At the Warsaw Security Forum, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže addressed rumors regarding potential US reductions in military training and troop presence in Central and Eastern Europe. She firmly stated that no decisions have been made to scale back support; rather, the region anticipates continued and possibly enhanced cooperation.

Polish presidential aide Marcin Przydacz echoed this sentiment, noting that Poland has received no negative indications from the US. He referenced President Trump’s public assurances that American forces will remain in Poland, with the possibility of further deployments depending on diplomatic efforts.

During the Warsaw Security Forum, US envoy Keith Kellogg distanced himself from earlier remarks concerning the US response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request for Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles. Kellogg emphasized that his comments were based solely on public information and that he does not possess insider knowledge regarding the decision-making process.

Nonetheless, he acknowledged the strategic importance of Tomahawk missiles, describing them as highly advanced weapons that, if deployed, could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict by introducing an additional element of unpredictability.

Today, EU commissioners are gathering for a “security college” meeting focused on defense and security challenges, joined by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This assembly takes place against a backdrop of escalating drone activity in European airspace, particularly affecting Nordic countries.

While the origins of these drone incursions remain uncertain, the incidents have triggered heightened security measures. Denmark, preparing to host two major European summits this week, has promptly bolstered its air defense systems to protect these events.

Earlier this month, several Central and Eastern European nations reported violations of their airspace by Russian forces, including over 20 drones crossing into Poland and three MiG fighter jets entering Estonian airspace.

Speaking from Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared, “Europe must present a robust and unified front against Russia’s drone violations along our borders,” emphasizing the urgency of advancing a “drone shield” to enhance continental security.

NATO’s Mark Rutte concurred, acknowledging ongoing investigations into the drone incidents in Denmark but affirming that “in the cases of Poland and Estonia, the evidence clearly points to Russian involvement.”

“We are still determining whether these incursions were deliberate. Regardless, such actions are reckless and intolerable.”

Von der Leyen also praised Ukraine’s steadfastness, noting that despite ongoing hostilities, it has lost “virtually no ground this year.” She affirmed that EU sanctions against Moscow are effective and that the bloc intends to intensify pressure with the forthcoming 19th sanctions package.

The EU and Ukraine have agreed on allocating €2 billion towards drone procurement, enabling Ukraine to fully leverage its operational capabilities. Importantly, von der Leyen revealed plans to introduce “reparation loans” funded by frozen Russian assets, a portion of which will support the European defense industry.

“These loans will be disbursed in installments with attached conditions. We aim to bolster our defense sector by ensuring part of the funds are spent on European procurement.”

“Crucially, these assets are not being confiscated. Ukraine must repay the loans if Russia fulfills its reparations obligations. The aggressor must be held accountable.”

Further security dialogues are anticipated today, including sessions at the Warsaw Security Forum featuring ministers and US envoy Keith Kellogg. Stay tuned for ongoing updates.

Tuesday, 30 September 2025 – Jakub Krupa reporting for Europe Live.

Good morning.

Europe’s Strategic Response to Russia’s Drone Threat in Ukraine

As the conflict in Ukraine intensifies, European leaders are ramping up efforts to counter the increasing use of drones by Russian forces. The evolving battlefield dynamics have prompted urgent discussions among EU officials and NATO members to enhance defensive capabilities and support Kyiv more effectively.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands emphasized the necessity for a unified European approach to drone defense, highlighting the importance of coordinated intelligence sharing and technological innovation. “We must strengthen our collective resilience against these emerging threats,” Rutte stated during a recent summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this sentiment, underscoring the EU’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s air defense systems. She announced plans to accelerate funding for advanced counter-drone technologies and to facilitate rapid deployment of these resources to frontline areas.

Poland, sharing a border with Ukraine, has taken a proactive stance by increasing its own drone surveillance and interception capabilities. Warsaw’s strategic position makes it a critical player in monitoring cross-border activities and providing logistical support to Ukrainian forces.

Meanwhile, Estonia has contributed by sharing expertise in cyber defense, recognizing that drone warfare often involves sophisticated electronic warfare tactics. Tallinn’s experience in countering hybrid threats offers valuable insights into protecting critical infrastructure from drone-related disruptions.

These collaborative efforts reflect a broader NATO strategy to adapt to modern warfare challenges. The alliance is prioritizing the development of integrated air defense networks that can detect, track, and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles swiftly and efficiently.

In summary, Europe’s response to Russia’s drone operations in Ukraine is multifaceted, combining technological advancement, strategic partnerships, and enhanced military readiness. This comprehensive approach aims not only to support Ukraine’s sovereignty but also to safeguard the security of the entire region against evolving aerial threats.