EU plans to build three walls to defend eastern flank from Russia
Photo: European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius (Getty Images)
The European Union will build a three-part defense system to protect its eastern flank from Russia. This will include three walls – a maritime wall, a drone wall, and a ground wall, said European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius at a press conference.
According to Kubilius, the overall approach to protecting EU eastern countries from Russian provocations covers three directions:
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A system to counter provocations at the land border – the so-called ground wall;
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Measures to prevent violations of EU airspace – the drone wall;
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Measures to defend against possible Russian provocations at sea – the maritime wall.
Who attended the project discussion
Kubilius noted that the meeting was attended by defense ministers from countries bordering Russia and Ukraine – Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania.
Representatives from NATO, Hungary, and Slovakia were also invited, along with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, the Danish defense minister, and Ukraine’s defense minister. Denys Shmyhal shared Ukraine’s experience gained in battles against Russian forces.
"We are facing clear challenges. Russia is testing the EU and NATO, and our response must be firm, united, and immediate," Kubilius emphasized.
Meeting outcomes
Kubilius confirmed that the EU has agreed on an approach to defend its eastern flank, with immediate priorities focused on improving capabilities to detect, track, and intercept hostile drones.
He stated that during the meeting, the participants agreed to move from discussions to concrete actions and identified key points, including the establishment of the Eastern Flank Watch with the drone wall at its center.
According to the European Сommissioner, the project will be implemented in cooperation with Ukraine and will take into account Ukrainian combat experience. He emphasized the need for coordinated and rapid solutions, including technical, informational, and intelligence measures.
Kubilius noted that Europe currently lacks many resources, including detection systems, tracking systems, and, most importantly, effective and cost-efficient means to neutralize drones. Ukraine, by contrast, uses mobile strike groups and interceptor drones before resorting to traditional air defense systems such as guns and missiles.
He acknowledged that comparing Ukrainian drone countermeasures with current European capabilities clearly shows the need to develop additional capacities that are currently missing.
Kubilius added that the EU must rapidly develop and implement effective and inexpensive drone defense tools. He also encouraged exploring new technologies, including laser weapons, which are considered highly promising.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed that Kyiv is ready to participate in the EU defense project to create the drone wall, and a joint declaration on participation could be signed as early as October this year.
A surprising development was Slovakia’s decision to join the initial discussions on the drone wall. After the meeting, media reports indicated that Hungary also participated, despite previous calls from allies to exclude these countries from the project due to their pro-Russian governments.
