A German frigate was docked in the port of Copenhagen, on Wednesday, October 1. Poland, Sweden, France, Finland, the Netherlands, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States and Ukraine also sent military reinforcements to support the Danish government. After several drone incursions in Denmark in recent days, European heads of state and government met under tight security at Christiansborg Palace.

But the show of force and solidarity did little to hide the fact that the 27 member states are having difficulty coordinating their efforts on security and defense. Nearly four years after Russia invaded Ukraine, Europe's defense remains a work in progress. Joint means to protect against the Russian threat are still in their infancy, and the question of supporting Kyiv is becoming increasingly pressing.

Faced with the exploitation of immigration, cyberattacks, drone overflights and the sabotage of cables and pipelines, "it's time to show solidarity," said Petteri Orpo, the Finnish prime minister. The European Union is facing a "hybrid war," added Mette Frederiksen. Russia is "testing us and they will not stop," continued the Danish prime minister, warning that Europe is in "the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War."

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