The EU must acquire unprecedented powers to defend itself against growing threats from Russia, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said, News.bg reports.
In an interview with "Politico" ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday, Orpo stressed that the EU must act as a "true union" in countering hostile states.
"We need common EU capabilities - that's why we need EU funding and cooperation," he said. "Over the past two decades, we have shown solidarity on issues like Covid, the economy, migration. Now it's time to show solidarity in the field of security."
Frontline countries such as Finland have long called on other members to increase defense spending. But Orpo stressed that all leaders must realize that the eastern flank "is our common border" and no one is immune from Moscow's tactics. Drone incursions that closed Copenhagen airport just days before the summit are a clear signal of the threat.
"These incidents are an attack on the whole of Europe", he noted. "Who will be next? Denmark is not a border country, which shows that the danger is real for the entire continent."
Some leaders and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are pushing for an agreement at the meeting at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen to strengthen common defense capabilities and create a "drone wall". This would put the EU in new territory and would mean significant financial commitments.
However, Orpo clarified that this was not intended to replace NATO. "We believe in NATO, that is clear", he added. "The EU can do more to support member states and NATO - for example by developing the military industry. Without a strong industrial capacity, our defense cannot be stronger."
The Copenhagen summit is the leaders' first since June. "A lot has happened since then," Orpo said.
"There are no signs that Putin will seek peace," he added. "We are worried about all this, I am very worried and now is the time for decisive action."