European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is calling for a new European security mechanism modeled partly on NATO’s consultation system to help the European Union respond more effectively to drone incursions, sabotage and cyberattacks.
Speaking in Strasbourg on Wednesday, von der Leyen said the EU needs its own “counter-hybrid playbook” to coordinate responses to security incidents that fall below the threshold of conventional armed conflict but still pose serious threats to national security.
Her proposal comes amid a series of security incidents across Europe. Officials in Germany, Denmark and Poland have recently accused Russia of involvement in drone incursions, sabotage, arson and surveillance activities. European authorities have also investigated an alleged plot involving a drone carrying explosives aimed at an airport.
The latest concerns intensified after Italian fighter jets operating with NATO shot down a drone over Lithuania earlier this week. Officials believe the drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, a close Russian ally. The incident marked the first time a drone had been shot down in the airspace of the EU member state.
Von der Leyen suggested that the proposed EU mechanism could operate similarly to Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows members to request consultations when they believe their security or territorial integrity is under threat.
Under her proposal, an incident could trigger consultations among EU member states, allowing governments to coordinate their response, deter further escalation and reduce the impact of attacks. She stressed that the mechanism would focus on threats that do not necessarily amount to armed aggression but nonetheless require a collective response.
The European Commission president also said the EU would work on making a European Security Council a reality, potentially involving partners outside the bloc, including Britain, Canada, Norway and Ukraine. She did not provide detailed plans for how such a body would operate.
The proposals come as European governments face growing concerns over hybrid threats involving drones, cyberattacks, sabotage and interference with critical infrastructure. Officials across the continent are increasingly examining how to strengthen security coordination without relying solely on existing NATO mechanisms.
The developments are likely to fuel further discussions about European defense cooperation and collective security, particularly as governments seek stronger measures to protect airspace and critical infrastructure from emerging threats.
Swifteradio.com
