Macron, Meloni argue for caution in responding to Russian provocations
10/2/2025 10:54:00 AM
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called on Europe to arm itself to respond to Russia’s hybrid warfare, but other major continental leaders have argued for caution against getting trapped in a tit-for-tat cycle of escalation with Moscow.
“I hope that everybody recognises now that there is a hybrid war and one day it’s Poland, the other day it’s Denmark, and next week it will probably be somewhere else that we see sabotage or we see drones flying,” Frederiksen told reporters on Wednesday.
She made the comments while hosting a summit of European leaders as they discussed joint efforts for better deterrence and defence.
French President Emmanuel Macron, also at the summit, however, urged the European Union to proceed with circumspection.
“I think we all have to be very cautious because we are in a time of confrontation with a lot of hybridity,” Macron said on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit in Copenhagen.
“This is why we have to be strong to deter any aggressions, but we have to remain very cautious and avoid any escalation,” he added.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also warned against overreacting.
“Despite everything, I think we have to think calmly. I think we shouldn’t respond to provocations. We have to equip ourselves; that certainly is true,” she said.
Hybrid warfare involves the use of conventional methods, such as tanks and missiles, as well as nonconventional ones, such as cyberattacks and internet disinformation.
Russia has been “a very aggressive player” for several years, the French president said, citing cyberattacks during elections, its war against Ukraine, the use of nuclear threats and recent airspace violations.
The heads of state and prime ministers of the EU countries were meeting in Denmark’s capital following a series of drone incidents near the country’s airports and military bases over the last week.
keep watch. Unidentified drones forced the closure of the airfield a week ago, causing major disruptions.
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom also sent aircraft, ships and air defence systems to Denmark in advance of the talks.
While the Danish authorities have not identified those believed to be responsible, Frederiksen said, “there is only one country that is willing to threaten us, and it is Russia, and therefore we need a very strong answer back”.
The Danish prime minister appealed for rearmament in the face of growing threats.
“I want us to rearm. I want us to buy more capabilities. I want us to innovate more, for example, on drones,” she said. “When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War.”
“I hope that everybody recognises now that there is a hybrid war and one day it’s Poland, the other day it’s Denmark, and next week it will probably be somewhere else that we see sabotage or we see drones flying,” Frederiksen told reporters on Wednesday.
She made the comments while hosting a summit of European leaders as they discussed joint efforts for better deterrence and defence.
French President Emmanuel Macron, also at the summit, however, urged the European Union to proceed with circumspection.
“I think we all have to be very cautious because we are in a time of confrontation with a lot of hybridity,” Macron said on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit in Copenhagen.
“This is why we have to be strong to deter any aggressions, but we have to remain very cautious and avoid any escalation,” he added.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also warned against overreacting.
“Despite everything, I think we have to think calmly. I think we shouldn’t respond to provocations. We have to equip ourselves; that certainly is true,” she said.
Hybrid warfare involves the use of conventional methods, such as tanks and missiles, as well as nonconventional ones, such as cyberattacks and internet disinformation.
Russia has been “a very aggressive player” for several years, the French president said, citing cyberattacks during elections, its war against Ukraine, the use of nuclear threats and recent airspace violations.
The heads of state and prime ministers of the EU countries were meeting in Denmark’s capital following a series of drone incidents near the country’s airports and military bases over the last week.
keep watch. Unidentified drones forced the closure of the airfield a week ago, causing major disruptions.
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom also sent aircraft, ships and air defence systems to Denmark in advance of the talks.
While the Danish authorities have not identified those believed to be responsible, Frederiksen said, “there is only one country that is willing to threaten us, and it is Russia, and therefore we need a very strong answer back”.
The Danish prime minister appealed for rearmament in the face of growing threats.
“I want us to rearm. I want us to buy more capabilities. I want us to innovate more, for example, on drones,” she said. “When I look at Europe today, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War.”