EU’s von der Leyen warns of ‘escalating campaign of threats’ as Romania destroys naval drone

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen criticised “an escalating campaign of threats” against the European Union, as she responded to Romania’s decision to destroy a naval drone near its Neptun Deep platform in the Black Sea (12:33).

“An escalating campaign of threats is underway, unsettling our citizens and seeking to divide our Union. This is hybrid warfare,” she said, without naming the aggressor.

“The founding mission of our Union is to preserve peace. Today, that also means having the capacity to deter provocation and aggression. Our Readiness 2030 agenda is mobilising up to EUR 800 billion.

With the European Drone Defence Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch, we are scaling up production in Europe to deliver capabilities Member States need. So we can respond to emerging threats with speed, unity and resolve.”