Even in laid-back Copenhagen, Europe feels chill wind of geopolitical tension
Denmark beefed up security and introduced a strict no-fly rule for drones including civilian ones, ahead of this week's meeting of European leaders. Picture: Hilary Swift/Bloomberg
Walking around Copenhagen on a bright and brisk October morning, it would not strike you as the kind of city that is worried about security.
Traffic on the streets of the Danish capital does not consist of cars, but rather bikes. Traffic lights are synched so that if you’re travelling at rush hour, you should be able to get green lights for your entire journey.
When the Danes are done with their bikes, they leave them neatly on bike racks on the side of the footpaths, completely unlocked.
Even when you lock your bike in an Irish city, you are lucky if you still have two wheels and a saddle when you come back.
Several reporters travelling to Copenhagen for the informal meeting of the European Council even noted that they saw parents leaving children in prams outside cafés while they grabbed a coffee.
While the public milled about the city enjoying their morning, European leaders were in the city's opulent Christiansborg Palace discussing how dangerous the world is becoming and how EU member states are more at risk than ever.
Last week, several Danish airports were forced to close due to drones flying overhead. Further drones were also spotted at military bases.
With European leaders flocking to Copenhagen for two days of meetings, the country introduced a strict no-fly rule for civilian drones. Security was beefed up, with nearly a dozen countries, including Britain, Ukraine, and France, providing support.
Denmark is not the only country to be impacted by drone incursions in recent weeks, with Poland and Estonia also targeted.
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters that there is “only one country […] willing to threaten us, and that is Russia. Therefore, we need a very strong answer back”.
There is no evidence yet of Russian involvement in the Danish flyovers, but the country’s hostility towards Europe and the ongoing war in Ukraine is causing concerns amongst leaders.
On her way into the meeting, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters that “Russia is testing our resolve”.
“These are times where it is absolutely paramount that we have a common sense of urgency and unity to address these challenges,” she said.
The commission prepared a “scoping paper” to discuss how it will tackle defence, with proposals like a “drone wall” being examined.
“We have to increase the pressure on Russia,” Ms von der Leyen said.
As he arrived in Copenhagen, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the situation is “becoming increasingly tense across Europe”.
As defence dominated the agenda, discussions focused on Readiness 2030, also known as the “ReArming Europe” plan.
Mr Martin said the Irish Government does not propose to borrow money to spend on defence, but procurement of defence infrastructure, such as radar, is already underway.
Ireland will also collaborate with other EU members that have “particular expertise to develop stronger technological capability in respect of drones”, protection of subsea cables, and cybersecurity.
He continued: “We have witnessed reckless manifestations on behalf of Russia in respect of drone violations of airspace in member states, in terms of cybersecurity, attacks on certain aspects of member states’ activities and utilities.
“These are all, unfortunately, necessary responses that we need to take.”
With the war in Ukraine showing no end and Russian drone incursions becoming more common, this will continue to dominate European debates long after the leaders leave Copenhagen following Thursday’s meeting of the European Political Community.
If only we could all be as laid back as Danish cyclists.
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