Europe at War, NATO at Bay

Europe stands divided as drone threats, oil politics, and NATO's waning influence expose a continent struggling to defend its security, unity, and strategic autonomy amid rising Russian assertiveness

- DIPANKAR DEY

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday (October 2) that Europe was in a hybrid war being waged by Russia, and Ukraine was the continent's first line of defence.

Hybrid warfare involves the use of conventional methods, such as tanks and missiles, as well as nonconventional ones, such as cyber-attacks and internet disinformation. She made this statement at the Seventh European Political Community Summit held on October 2, 2025, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The summit was attended by the heads of state or government of the 43 countries participating in the European Political Community, along with the presidents of the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament, as well as the Secretaries-General of the Council of Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). It was reported that before the meeting, a special radar system was set up at Copenhagen airport to maintain surveillance. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom also sent aircraft, ships, and air defence systems to Denmark in advance of the talks.

EUROPE IN DISARRAY

The Seventh European Political Community Summit gained additional importance as unidentified drones recently flew over Denmark's military sites, including its largest base, with officials hinting at possible Russian involvement. Mysterious drone sightings across the Scandinavian country over the past week prompted the closure of several airports, including Copenhagen Airport.

Drone detection reports also led to the temporary closure of Oslo airport earlier in the week.