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Morning opening: Things can only get worse
Jakub Krupa
The Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned that the recent drone sightings in Danish airspace warning are “only the beginning; it will get worse and it will get more serious.”
In two major interviews, with the Danish newspaper Berlingske (£) and with the Financial Times (£), Frederiksen urged Europe to discuss “more deeply” what the new security situation means for the continent and how it should respond to counter the threat.
In a stark remark, she said that the situation in Europe reminded her of that in the interwar period in the 20th century, as the continent faces the threats arising from the “real war” in Ukraine, and the new, broader hybrid war waged against it.
“The idea of a hybrid war is to threaten us, to divide us, to destabilise us. To use drones one day, cyber attacks the next day, sabotage on the third day. So this will not end only by [boosting] capabilities,” she told FT.
Her comments come as EU leaders meet in Copenhagen for an informal meeting of the European Council, which will be largely focused on security and Ukraine, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining via a video link. It will be followed by a larger meeting of the European Political Community tomorrow.
But the build up to these events was overshadowed by the recent drone sightings and major disruption they brought on Denmark and the Nordics more broadly, bringing home the seriousness of the situation. A number of countries – including France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the UK, Ukraine, and the US – have offered their support to ensure the events can take place without problems.
I will follow the events unfolding in Copenhagen today and bring you all the key news lines coming from the leaders’ meeting, starting from their doorstep late morning to the press conference in late afternoon.
It’s Wednesday, 1 October 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
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Copenhagen sees largest security operation since COP15 in 2009 as EU leaders meet amid drone threat
The Danish media are reporting that the security operation in Copenhagen is the largest seen in the capital since the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, with a large exclusion zone around Christiansborg Palace where the leaders meet.
A number of drones are also reportedly up in the air, but don’t worry: these are controlled by the police to spot any potential issues.
Gaza flotilla sees approach by patrol vessels, submarine as it nears 'critical zone'
Lorenzo Tondo
in Palermo
A flotilla seeking to break Israel’s aid blockade of Gaza said on Wednesday that several of its boats had been approached by patrol vessels and a submarine, as crews braced for an Israeli raid.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), carrying around 500 pro-Palestinian activists – among them the climate campaigner Greta Thunberg – says its mission is to establish a humanitarian corridor into Gaza.
The convoy, which also includes humanitarian supplies, is currently being shadowed by a Spanish naval ship providing cover in case of drone attacks.
Until Tuesday, the flotilla was also escorted by an Italian warship that, according to organisers, offered participants the chance to abandon their vessels before entering what has been described as a “critical zone”. The activists rejected the offer, denouncing it as an attempt to sabotage the mission. Italy has since withdrawn its frigate.
In recent weeks, the Italian government and the president of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, had repeatedly urged the flotilla to avoid confrontation with Israel and to deliver aid instead via Israeli or Cypriot ports.
Activists, however, insist their operation is not about the aid – which they describe as largely symbolic – but about breaking Israel’s “illegal siege” of the territory.
“Our mission stays true to its original goal of breaking Israel’s illegal blockade and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged population of Gaza,” said four Italian opposition MPs on board the vessels in a joint statement.
The flotilla was attacked last week by drones that dropped stun grenades and itching powder, causing minor damage but no injuries.
Israel’s navy has said it is preparing to seize control of the more than 50 vessels now within its interception range. The elite Shayetet 13 naval commando unit is reportedly on standby for the operation, which could involve towing ships to the port of Ashdod or sinking some at sea, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
In a post on X, Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said the flotilla’s rejection of the Italian proposal to unload aid in Cyprus proved that “their real purpose is provocation and serving Hamas”.
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has also called on the flotilla to halt its mission, warning that any attempt to break the blockade could jeopardise a recent US-brokered peace initiative between Israel and Hamas.
Morning opening: Things can only get worse
Jakub Krupa
The Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned that the recent drone sightings in Danish airspace warning are “only the beginning; it will get worse and it will get more serious.”
In two major interviews, with the Danish newspaper Berlingske (£) and with the Financial Times (£), Frederiksen urged Europe to discuss “more deeply” what the new security situation means for the continent and how it should respond to counter the threat.
In a stark remark, she said that the situation in Europe reminded her of that in the interwar period in the 20th century, as the continent faces the threats arising from the “real war” in Ukraine, and the new, broader hybrid war waged against it.
“The idea of a hybrid war is to threaten us, to divide us, to destabilise us. To use drones one day, cyber attacks the next day, sabotage on the third day. So this will not end only by [boosting] capabilities,” she told FT.
Her comments come as EU leaders meet in Copenhagen for an informal meeting of the European Council, which will be largely focused on security and Ukraine, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining via a video link. It will be followed by a larger meeting of the European Political Community tomorrow.
But the build up to these events was overshadowed by the recent drone sightings and major disruption they brought on Denmark and the Nordics more broadly, bringing home the seriousness of the situation. A number of countries – including France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, the UK, Ukraine, and the US – have offered their support to ensure the events can take place without problems.
I will follow the events unfolding in Copenhagen today and bring you all the key news lines coming from the leaders’ meeting, starting from their doorstep late morning to the press conference in late afternoon.
It’s Wednesday, 1 October 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
