COPENHAGEN ― European Union leaders convened in the Danish capital to discuss strategies aimed at enhancing the continent’s security. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed his concerns during the summit, stating, “We are worried, I am very worried, and it is time to act,” indicating a sense of urgency surrounding the discussions. However, the summit did not unfold as expected, with numerous discussions yielding few concrete outcomes. Leaders emerged from the gathering as apprehensive as they had arrived.
Frozen assets and defense discussions
The EU member states were not prepared to endorse the European Commission’s proposal to utilize frozen Russian assets to fund a loan to Ukraine. The Commission aims to offer Kyiv a loan of €140 billion by exchanging assets from frozen Russian funds for a tailored borrowing contract with Euroclear, a Belgian financial institution managing these assets. While EU officials view this as a clever workaround to avoid potential expropriation issues that could violate international law, some member states, particularly Belgium, require assurances regarding the legal soundness of the plan. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever exercised caution, wary of potential legal repercussions from Russia. In the aftermath of the summit, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sought to reassure Belgium and other hesitant nations, clarifying that the plan did not involve confiscation and that “risks must be shared more broadly.” Despite her efforts, consensus remains elusive, with European Council President António Costa indicating that the next summit, scheduled for the end of the month, could prove to be “the day of decision.”
Challenges in defense and membership discussions
Initially slated for two hours, discussions on common defense extended to four hours as leaders sought a greater voice in the planning processes. Although there was widespread support for the Commission’s proposals, the necessity for further dialogue was underscored by the leaders’ insistence on more frequent meetings between the 27 EU defense ministers and High Representative Kaja Kallas. A significant point of contention remains the concept of a “drone wall”, a system designed to swiftly detect, intercept, and neutralize threats, which failed to reach an agreement during the summit. France and Germany expressed skepticism toward a Commission-managed system, while southern EU countries advocated for a broader concept to protect their borders.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived with the intention of steering the focus towards European industrial competitiveness. His efforts, however, were in vain as discussions continued to revolve around the war in Ukraine. Merz’s agenda seemed to overlook the official summit program, which prioritized defense issues and Ukraine. Public officials recognized that his remarks were largely aimed at the domestic audience, as he faces increasing pressure to revitalize Germany’s economy and implement promised reforms.
The summit concluded with a royal dinner invitation adding time pressure. Danish royalty hosted EU leaders at 7 PM, prompting an extended security discussion that lasted twice as long as scheduled. António Costa, presiding over the meeting, refrained from interrupting the ongoing sensitive exchanges, contrary to suggestions that prolonged discussions stemmed from disagreements. Leaders were ultimately on time for the royal dinner, with only Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Mette Frederiksen returning for a press briefing.
Despite efforts to expedite Ukraine’s EU membership application, António Costa’s proposal did not gain traction. The Portuguese leader suggested altering EU rules to allow membership negotiations to commence with a qualified majority of leaders rather than unanimous consent. This concept faced rejection from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, among others, including France, the Netherlands, and Greece, effectively quashing the initiative. Orbán was notably one of the few leaders to comment on the issue, expressing opposition.