Stop the Russian drones, fix the gaps!
In a resolution tabled by the Renew Europe Group and debated today, MEPs strongly condemn Russia's escalating provocations against EU and NATO Member States, including the drone strike that injured civilians in Galați, Romania, as well as repeated airspace violations over Finland and the Baltic States. Renew Europe stresses that these are not isolated incidents, but part of a deliberate Russian strategy to intimidate and destabilise Europe.
NATO agreed last week to accelerate concrete drone initiatives for frontline Member States. Allies also flagged growing threats to critical infrastructure in the Black Sea. These decisions will feed directly into the upcoming Ankara summit where drone defence will be central to the agenda.
The Alliance is moving - and the EU cannot afford to lag behind. Renew Europe insists that the EU's own flagship projects - the European Drone Defence Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch - must now deliver with real capabilities on the ground, not just announcements.
Renew MEP Petras Austrevicius (Liberalų sąjūdis, Lithuania), EP rapporteur on this resolution stated :
“Russia continues to intensify its hybrid warfare attacks against Europe, particularly targeting countries on the EU’s Eastern Flank. It is doing so openly and is devoting enormous and ever-increasing resources to this effort. Our primary response is to rapidly strengthen our own defence capabilities, with advanced defence technology solutions being particularly essential. It is equally important to continue reducing the aggressor’s ability to continue the war against Ukraine and to carry out hybrid attacks against the EU. To achieve this, we must close the remaining loopholes in the EU sanctions mechanism and include alumina, meaning that Russian-owned factories in the EU would no longer be able to provide materials for Russian cruise and ballistic missile production.”
Petras AuštrevičiusRenew Europe MEP, Lithuania, Liberalų Sąjūdis
Ukraine and Moldova: partners in defence
Renew Europe calls for deep EU-Ukraine defence industrial cooperation, including through the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance, so that Ukraine's unparalleled battlefield expertise in drone production and counter-drone systems is fully integrated into European capabilities. Also, urges the EU and Member States to establish a European Centre of Excellence for Drone Warfare, where Ukrainian instructors pass on their expertise to the EU Member States. Moldova must not be left behind: repeated violations of Moldovan airspace by Russian drones and missiles make increased support through the European Peace Facility an urgent necessity, alongside Moldova's inclusion in joint acquisitions under EDIP.
Renew MEP Dan Barna (USR, Romania) emphasised :
"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine does not recognise borders, which is why I am issuing an imperative demand for the immediate reinforcement of the Eastern Flank and Black Sea security. We must secure increased funding in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework for anti-drone systems to protect exposed nations, and accelerate the establishment of the Black Sea Maritime Security Centre. Europe's security is defended at its eastern borders - for the sake of all EU citizens."
Dan BarnaRenew Europe MEP, Romania, Uniunea Salvați România
Eastern Flank and Black Sea: a coherent, full-spectrum response
Renew Europe stresses the need for coherent strengthening of the EU and NATO's Eastern Flank along its entire length from the Arctic to the Black Sea, covering land, maritime and air dimensions. This means building detection, interception and neutralisation capabilities in frontline Member States against drones and meteorological balloons and accelerating the establishment of the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub to protect critical infrastructure.
Tougher sanctions, now
Renew Europe calls for a swift adoption of the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia. This package must go further: targeting Russia's energy and financial sectors, and introducing an EU entry ban for former Russian combatants who fought in Ukraine.
We can't stress this enough : Russia must face the full economic and political cost of its aggression!