European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (C) looks at a drone as she stands next to European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius (L) and Origin Robotics co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Agris Kipurs (R) during a visit of defence technology company Origin Robotics in Marupe, Latvia on August 29, 2025.
Gints Ivuskans / AFP
A commissioner described plans as the “bedrock of credible defence.”
EU countries held talks today, on September 26, on the bloc’s plans for a ‘drone wall,’ following recent Russian drone incursions into Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. Numerous drone sightings have also been reported over Denmark this week, although investigators have yet to identify those responsible.
Today’s meeting follows weeks of calls for a quick Europe-wide response. Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said earlier this month that a drone wall “is not an abstract ambition” but “the bedrock of credible defence.” The prime minister of Finland also reported on Thursday that the planning and implementation of this “are progressing at a good pace in the European Union.”
Defence ministers from ‘EU frontline countries’ took part in the talks, as well as representatives from Hungary and Slovakia, despite previous reports that they were being shut out of the meeting.
In a statement afterwards, Kubilius described the establishment of a drone wall—“with advanced detection, tracking, and interception capabilities”—as an “immediate priority.”
Describing the impetus, he stressed that “daily violations of EU airspace are unacceptable” and was direct about where he sees the threat coming from:
Russia is testing the EU and NATO. Our response must be firm, united, and immediate.
1/5 Today I chaired a VTC w Defence Ministers from 🇪🇺 Frontline countries 🇫🇮🇪🇪🇱🇻🇱🇹🇵🇱🇷🇴🇧🇬, joined by HRVP @kajakallas, 🇩🇰 Presidency. 🇺🇦shared with us their invaluable experience how to implement #EasternFlankWatch, our flagship defence initiative.🇸🇰🇭🇺also joined our discussions.
Plans are also underway for new ground defences, increased maritime security and “space-based situational awareness.”
The drone wall may be an ‘immediate priority,’ but there is still likely to be a long wait until it is actually implemented, with officials now being required to establish a “technical roadmap” for the plans and build “political traction” ahead of the European Council meeting in October.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
