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European leaders convened Thursday with an urgent warning that Russia poses a direct threat to the entire continent and called for immediate military and economic strengthening as Ukraine’s war approaches its fourth year.
Denmark’s prime ministerMette FREDERIKSEN , hosting approximately 50 European leaders at the European Political Community forum, told attendees that Russia will continue its aggression until forced to stop and that making war against Europe “unthinkable” has become the paramount task.
“Russia will not stop until they are forced to do so,” FREDERIKSEN said in opening remarks. “And they are a threat, not only to Ukraine, but to all of us.”
The host emphasized the immediate nature of the challenge facing European nations.
“Today, we have one major task ahead of us,” FREDERIKSEN said. “We have to make our common Europe so strong that war against us becomes unthinkable. And we have to do it now.”
The forum was established in 2022 as a direct response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, created to unite European nations against the aggression. The Danish leader said the gathering’s purpose has only grown more urgent since its founding.
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“The purpose has not become less urgent or less relevant today,” the host told assembled leaders.
The prime minister addressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly, praising Ukraine’s nearly four-year defense against what was characterized as merciless Russian aggression.
“For almost four years you and your countrymen have been defending Ukraine against a merciless full-scale Russian aggression,” tFREDERIKSEN said. “You are fighting with outstanding determination. And right now you are fighting for European security, holding back Putin, defending all Europeans.”
The Danish leader warned that differing threat perceptions across European nations cannot justify complacency.
“I know that for some of you, the threat from Russia is very clear and very present,” the prime minister said. “For others, it still seems further away. But none of us can no longer be naive.”
The host drew historical parallels to emphasize the persistent nature of Russian expansionism.
“From the expansion of the Russian Empire to Soviet tanks rolling across several borders during the Cold War, sharing hopes of freedom,” FREDERIKSEN said. “And recent history tells us the exact same story. So why shouldn’t it happen again?”
Russia’s current military posture was characterized as increasingly threatening, with the host noting Moscow’s conversion to a war economy and international support from adversarial nations.
“Russia is now converting into a war economy, using every opportunity to intimidate, to threaten and to divide us,” the Danish leader said. “Unfortunately enabled by China, with soldiers from North Korea and drones from Iran.”
The prime minister expressed skepticism that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s territorial ambitions end with Ukraine.
“I see no signs that Putin and Russia’s imperial fever dream stops with Ukraine,” the host said.
The Danish leader outlined specific military requirements for European security, emphasizing both support for Ukraine and continental rearmament.
“We have to strengthen Ukraine and weaken Russia with more sanctions,” the prime minister said. “We have to be able to finance the armed forces in Ukraine. All of us have to deliver more weapons, more ammunition, and we have to do it faster.”
The host characterized aid to Ukraine as self-defense rather than charity.
“Nowhere it will make a greater impact for European security than at the front lines in Ukraine,” the Danish leader said. “It’s not charity what we’re doing in Ukraine. It is a direct defense of our continent.”
While acknowledging that European nations have increased military budgets and taken important steps through the European Union and NATO, the prime minister said acceleration is essential.
“In other words, we are on our way, but we have to move much faster,” the host said, citing Ukraine’s rapid defense industry development as a model. “We have to learn from Ukraine, your sense of urgency, building an incredible defense industry in just a couple of years.”
The Danish leader warned that military strength alone proves insufficient given Russia’s expanded use of hybrid warfare tactics across Europe.
“Russia has intensified its use of hybrid means in Europe,” the prime minister said. “And we face an enemy that uses all kinds of tools. One day it is military drones. Another day it’s migrants being pushed across the borders.”
Additional hybrid threats identified included targeting critical infrastructure, spreading misinformation, creating uncertainty and distrust, and attempting to interfere in democratic elections.
“Security is, of course, not only a question about military means,” the host said. “It is a matter of our hearts and minds.”
The prime minister connected security to domestic governance effectiveness, arguing that democratic resilience requires delivering tangible benefits to citizens.
“In a time where democracy is under pressure around the world, we need to show that we deliver for our societies,” the Danish leader said. “Our citizens need jobs and economic security. They need health care, education for their kids, affordable food, opportunities for their future.”
Economic strengthening was presented as equally essential to military preparedness.
“We have to build a stronger Europe economically as well,” the host said. “We have to create the jobs for the future. We have to reduce our dependencies. We have to invest in new technologies and source the critical raw materials that are necessary.”
The prime minister also called for stronger action on migration, characterizing uncontrolled movement as changing European societies.
“We have to strengthen our borders,” the Danish leader said. “Uncontrolled migration is changing our societies, and it is our citizens that pays the price. Who can enter and stay in our country? It has to be a democratic decision.”
The host concluded with an assessment of Russian failures since the 2022 invasion, identifying three objectives Putin has not achieved despite massive expenditure and casualties.
“Back in 2022 when this political family was established, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in Ukraine, Putin wanted at least three things,” the prime minister said. “He wanted to capture Kyiv, he wanted to overthrow the Ukrainian government, and he wanted to tear Europe apart.”
After nearly four years of full-scale war and spending billions of dollars while sacrificing thousands of Russian lives, the host said Putin has succeeded in none of those objectives.
“The war is a Russian failure,” the Danish leader said. “First and foremost, thanks to you, Volodymyr, to every brave Ukrainian man and woman fighting for our freedom, but also to every nation supporting you.”
The prime minister emphasized European capacity for strength when united.
“Europe is strong when we decide to be, and we need to make it much stronger,” the host said.
The Danish leader challenged the assembled leaders to produce concrete solutions during the Copenhagen gathering.
“Let us use this opportunity to provide the next concrete solutions to show the way forward for Europe,” the prime minister concluded.
The forum brings together leaders from across Europe representing diverse national interests and varying proximity to Russian threats, united by the common challenge of addressing continental security as Ukraine’s war continues with no clear resolution in sight.
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