T he first days of October 2025 marked a new tone in Europe’s security debate. Copenhagen, usually a calm Nordic capital, transformed into a fortress as European Union leaders gathered for an informal European Council summit under the Danish presidency. The airspace above the city was secured by allied aircraft, while a German frigate docked in its port, a symbolic reminder that Europe’s security is no longer abstract.

The meeting unfolded amid fresh Russian provocations: airspace violations over Po land and Estonia, and drone incursions in Denmark. For Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who chaired the summit, these incidents confirmed that Europe is already fighting a hybrid war. The summit participants expressed their support for Ukraine, emphasising its crucial role in Europe’s collec

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