EU unity vital in face of Moscow 'hybrid war', says Danish PM

Europe is in its “most difficult and dangerous situation” since the end of the second world war, Denmark’s prime minister has said at an EU summit dedicated to advancing the continent's battle readiness by the end of the decade.

- Jennifer Rankin

Mette Frederiksen is hosting EU leaders in Copenhagen for talks on assisting Ukraine and firming up European defence projects intended to ensure the continent is ready to deter invaders by 2030.

Urging unity, Frederiksen said all European countries were affected by the “Russian hybrid war”, whether through drone incursions or sabotage.

"I hope that everybody recognises now that there is a hybrid war, and one day it’s Poland, the other day it’s Denmark, and next week it will probably be somewhere else that we see sabotage or ... drones flying," she told reporters yesterday. "I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the second world war."

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, who expressed solidarity with Denmark over recent drone incursions, struck a more restrained note: "We have to be strong to deter any aggressions, but we have to remain above all very cautious and avoid any escalation."

Macron said it was “a very good thing” France was investigating an oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet, but did not confirm a reported link between the vessel and drones over Denmark.