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Recently, the city of Copenhagen hosted a crucial summit involving leaders from European Union countries. The primary aim of this meeting was to discuss ways to enhance the security situation across the European continent, in response to escalating challenges. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo voiced his concerns, stating, “We are worried, and action is urgent.” However, the outcomes of this gathering fell short of expectations.
While the discussions were rich in content, they did not result in concrete decisions. The leaders, despite addressing several topics, left with the same concerns that had prompted their meeting.
Issues surrounding frozen Russian assets
One major agenda item was the European Commission’s proposal to utilize frozen Russian assets to financially support Ukraine.
The Commission suggested a loan of €140 billion, which would be financed by exchanging maturing Russian assets for a loan contract. This mechanism aims to avoid legal complications associated with confiscation of assets, which could violate international law.
However, the idea did not receive unanimous support.
Nations such as Belgium expressed reservations. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever highlighted that his country could face legal repercussions if Russia contested the move. In response, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, attempted to reassure her counterparts by clarifying that the plan did not entail direct confiscation of assets, but that risks needed to be shared more widely.
Challenges of collective defense
Another topic of discussion was collective defense, which required more time than anticipated. While the Commission’s initial proposals were well-received, leaders demanded greater control over decisions. This demand led to an extension of discussions, illustrating the need for ongoing dialogue among defense ministers of member states.
There was also talk of establishing a “drone wall,” an initiative aimed at creating a system for detecting and intercepting aerial threats. However, this proposal raised doubts among some countries, notably France and Germany, which emphasized the need for a broader framework to include southern border protection.
Economic and political concerns
Amid these security discussions, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz aimed to raise issues of industrial competitiveness. However, his intervention was quickly overshadowed by the need to address matters related to the war in Ukraine. Upon arrival, he intended to discuss two major topics: the competitiveness of the European industry and the need to reduce regulation. Yet, the current context took precedence, and he found himself discussing security matters.
The summit concluded under the pressure of a dinner invitation from the Danish royal family, adding a time constraint to the discussions. Despite this, the time allocated for the security session was doubled, revealing the importance of exchanges among leaders. António Costa, President of the European Council, facilitated the extended discussions, aware of the sensitivity of the topics addressed.
Future prospects for Ukraine
Another significant proposal was made by António Costa to expedite Ukraine’s EU candidacy. This idea aimed to modify the accession procedures so that a qualified majority could suffice to begin negotiations. However, this initiative was firmly rejected, particularly by the Hungarian Prime Minister, who has close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Other nations, including France and the Netherlands, also expressed opposition, rendering the proposal ineffective.
The Copenhagen summit highlighted ongoing concerns regarding security and cooperation within the EU. Although crucial discussions took place, concrete results remain undefined. The path to establishing a unified response to contemporary challenges still appears lengthy.
