Key facts
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a European Security Council.
- The council would involve leaders from the EU, Britain, Norway, Ukraine, and Canada.
- Von der Leyen also proposed a 'counter-hybrid playbook' to coordinate responses to incidents like sabotage and drone incursions.
- The initiatives aim to increase European responsibility for security amid doubts about reliance on the US.
- Russia has rejected accusations of involvement in incidents like the Leipzig airport drone attack.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed the creation of a European Security Council to address growing threats to peace on the continent. The initiative, announced during her State of the Union speech, would bring together leaders from the EU, Britain, Norway, Ukraine, and Canada. Von der Leyen also put forward a new system to coordinate responses to 'hybrid incidents' such as sabotage and drone incursions, which she warned were mounting on Europe's soil and undermining security. These proposals reflect a desire for greater European responsibility for security, particularly amid concerns about future US commitment to NATO under President Donald Trump. Russia has denied accusations of involvement in such incidents, like the drone attack on Leipzig airport attributed to Moscow by German authorities. While some, like Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, welcomed the proposals, others, such as Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, emphasized NATO's central role. Defence experts noted that the council's effectiveness would depend on deeper cooperation beyond being a 'talking shop,' with some questioning its deterrent value against Russia.