European leaders harden stance on Russia amid attacks
At the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen on Oct. 2, 2025, leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for tougher action against Russia — urging that drones violating European airspace be shot down, sanction‑busting 'shadow fleet' tankers be interdicted, and expanded energy sanctions be considered — after a string of drone incidents, cyberattacks and sabotage targeting European infrastructure and bases.
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🔍 Key Facts
- French President Emmanuel Macron urged 'more unpredictability and more strategic ambiguity' and said drones violating European territory 'can be destroyed, full stop.'
- French authorities recently stopped an oil tanker on the EU 'shadow fleet' sanction list and detained two crew members; Macron called the shadow fleet a major revenue source—'30 to 40% of the war effort.'
- Danish PM Mette Frederiksen framed the incidents as an attack on Europe’s values and said Europe 'can no longer be naive,' with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Poland's Donald Tusk voicing firm unity and resolve.