Renew Europe demands strong EU response to Russian airspace violations

Over recent weeks and months, 15 Russian airspace violations have been recorded in the EU, involving both fighter jets and drones, with several additional incursions likely linked to Russia. In response, last October 1st, the informal European Council took some steps towards creating a protective shield for the European sky. But this is far from sufficient. We expect the European Council meeting on 23 October to decide on a concrete and funded plan, based in particular on the Ukrainian expertise, now seen as a key strategic asset.

Taking its responsibilities, the European Parliament, on Renew’s initiative, debated today a resolution urging Member States to act swiftly and coordinate their action to counter escalating hybrid threats.

"The recent deliberate incursions into the Polish, Estonian and Romanian airspace and recent events in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, constitute a clear escalation by Russia. Russia wants to destabilize Europe's unity and reduce our support for Ukraine. We can't let that happen. Instead we must have a strong and united response from the EU and NATO," stated Renew MEP Urmas Paet (Reform Party, Estonia).

"Eastern Europe is facing the greatest danger of aggression at the moment, and therefore the defence of the EU's Eastern border and skies must be a joint effort. Now is the time to show political will by signaling that any third state attempting to violate our sovereignty will immediately face retaliation. We must also continue to work on stopping Russia's shadow fleet as Russia is using these vessels as launch pads for the drones entering our airspace."

Renew Europe's key demands include:

• Enhanced airspace surveillance and rapid deployment capabilities through NATO's “Eastern Sentry operation”, the military activity aimed to bolster NATO’s posture along the eastern flank.
• Urgent investment in drone detection and anti-drone systems, particularly along the Eastern Flank
• Tougher sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet vessels, their operators, and financial backers
• A tenfold increase in military mobility funding
• Immediate use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine's defence needs
• Accelerated progress towards a genuine European Defence Union

Renew MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP, Germany), chair of the Committee on Security & Defence emphasize : “The repeated airspace violations by Russia are no coincidence but part of a deliberate pattern of hybrid intimidation. Moscow is deliberately testing Europes responsiveness, unity and resolve. Every Russian drone or missile entering NATO or EU airspace constitutes an attack on the security of all, not just on the member state directly concerned.

These provocations underline that Europe’s security does not end at the borders of individual nations. We must strengthen our air surveillance and air defence capabilities along the entire eastern flank, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. At the same time, Europe must finally build the industrial base needed to develop further and produce its own capabilities in air defence, reconnaissance and counter-drone technology. Only then will we become truly independent and capable of acting.

The EU and NATO must send a clear message that such violations will not go unanswered. Only Diplomatic appeasement is misplaced. What is needed now is clarity, consistency and deterrence. Our response must not be reactive but strategic. Europes security demands a closely coordinated air-security architecture between the EU and NATO that protects our citizens and makes it clear to Russia that we will not be intimidated. The time for hesitation is over.”

Furthermore, Renew Europe deeply regrets the lack of commitment and financial resources to build up the Cyber and Information Domain Coordination Centre (CDCC).

We finally emphasize that Eastern Europe's security is the security of the entire Union, requiring unwavering solidarity and concrete action from all Member States.