Danish PM: we have underestimated Russian threat, Ukraine is our first line of defence

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has admitted that European countries have underestimated the reality of the Russian threat and have acted too slowly on measures needed for their own defence.

Frederiksen spoke to the media ahead of the European Political Community summit in Copenhagen on 1 October.

She was asked whether Europe is moving too slowly to strengthen its defences and guard against hybrid threats.

"I think everyone underestimated how big a threat Russia actually is. I'm not saying we haven't done anything – because we are doing a lot. My hope is that everybody will recognise that we have to look at Ukraine as the first line of defence. So, everything we do in Ukraine is defending ourselves and the rest of Europe," Frederiksen said.

The Danish prime minister also underlined that Ukraine's know-how in countering drones offers Europe a crucial advantage in developing protection against hostile UAVs.

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has also stressed that thanks to Ukraine's experience, the European drone wall can be deployed quickly.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of a Ukrainian mission in Denmark to share battle-tested expertise in downing hostile drones.

Last week, several mysterious drones of an unspecified type were spotted near critical infrastructure and military sites in Denmark, causing airport operations to suspend for several hours.