The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, denounced Russia's behavior as "reckless and dangerous" following new Russian incursions into European airspace. The European official accused Moscow of intensifying a deliberate strategy of provocation against Europe.
Two recent incidents formed the basis of the accusation. A Russian warship fired flares in the vicinity of a Danish helicopter, an episode that raised concerns about the security of European military operations. Additionally, a drone was shot down after entering Lithuanian airspace, a country that is a member of NATO and the European Union.
These episodes are part of a broader pattern of tensions between Russia and European countries, which have been recording an increase in Russian military activity near NATO borders. The European response to these incidents has been marked by a united front of condemnation, with major institutional figures warning of the risks of escalation.
Von der Leyen's denunciation comes at a time of heightened alert in Europe, with the military authorities of the affected countries reinforcing aerial and maritime surveillance. The situation highlights the growing difficulties in relations between the European Union and Russia, in a context of increasing geopolitical instability in the region.
