Merz Spoke Harshly About Orbán During EU Leaders' Summit
6- 2.10.2025, 10:27
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The European Union seeks unity on the bloc's defense plan.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke sharply against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a meeting of EU leaders in Copenhagen, accusing him of derailing discussions on the bloc's security needs. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the conversation.
The clash came during a discussion on how the European Union can better defend itself against threats from Russian Federation and support Ukraine.
"The dispute is the latest manifestation of the EU's frustration with Orban, who has used his veto power to block sanctions against Russia and opposes Ukraine's EU membership. It comes at a time when the bloc is trying to coalesce around plans to rebuild its defenses amid numerous Russian airspace violations in recent months," Bloomberg recalled.
At the same time, Orban himself wrote on a pro-government website:
"It was a tense, particularly exciting European summit."
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after the meeting that recent UAV threats "require a strong and decisive reaction and response from Europe." She said "every European citizen and every square centimeter in Europe must be safe."
The commission's proposal to build a "wall of drones" received a tepid response during the discussion, Bloomberg clarified.
"No matter what capabilities we can acquire. Drones will still come to Europe," said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
At the same time, the politician who led the meeting emphasized that she still supports the overall concept.
"We fully agree that we need to invest much more in drone technology, in countering drones, but also in new technologies and innovation," Frederiksen added.
In turn, representatives of Italy and Spain assured that the commission's defense plans should help the entire continent defend itself and strengthen the EU's eastern flank. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that if this is not done, EU defense will not be effective.
European Council President António Costa echoed such rhetoric:
"Europe's borders will only be protected if all of Europe's borders are protected."
Bloomberg noted that leaders of other European countries, among them Ukraine, are scheduled to join EU leaders today, Oct. 2, to discuss military needs.
"When I look at today's Europe, I think we are in the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of World War II," Frederiksen concluded.
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